The International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) has announced
its Endorsement of the Bath Profile, an international Z39.50 specification
supporting library applications and resource discovery. Version 1.1 of
the Bath Profile, released in June 2000 with minor clarifications in February
2001, is endorsed as an ISO Internationally Recognized Profile (IRP). In
a separate announcement, the ICOLC has also announced updates to two previously
issued documents.
Bath Profile Endorsement
In endorsing the Bath Profile, the ICOLC realizes that standards organizations,
libraries, consortia, database vendors, and integrated library system vendors
will need to work together to realize the potential of Z39.50, according
to the announcement. The international Bath Profile, if broadly adopted
and incorporated into more detailed national, regional, provincial, and
state agreements, becomes a valuable part of the solution.
The complete Endorsement of the Bath Profile with endorsing library
consortia and additional information about the ICOLC can be found at http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia.
Support for the Bath Profile is already provided by 68 library consortia
from around the world. More consortia endorsements will be added as received.
Document Updates
Now available on the ICOLC Web site are the "Statement of Current Perspective
and Preferred Practices for the Selection and Purchase of Electronic Information:
Update No. 1: New Developments in E-Journal Licensing" and an updated "Guidelines
for Statistical Measures of Usage of Web-Based Information Resources."
According to the announcement, the issuance of both documents reflects
the dynamic nature of information services to libraries and the need for
library consortia to influence the practices of the vendor community on
a global basis.
The update of the "Statement of Current Perspective ..." focuses on
developments in consortia perspectives on electronic journal publishing
since the original statement was released in March 1998. The original "Statement
of Current Perspective ..." was the first public document issued by the
ICOLC.
Among the preferred practices that the updated statement recommends
are the following:
1. Having publishers provide multiple models for pricing electronic
journals, such as making the purchase of the print copies optional, with
a base price for the electronic-only content that is no more than 80 percent
of the price, and having a combined electronic and print price that is
no more than current print-only prices
2. Enabling libraries to purchase content in multiple models ranging
the full spectrum, from "all you can eat" to "by the drink"
3. Eliminating publisher restrictions on the number of print subscriptions
that can be canceled
4. Creating special pricing that accommodates the needs of countries
in transition
5. Requiring publishers to provide complete and consistent electronic
content
6. Reaffirming the importance of fair use
7. Encouraging publishers to support open linking of journal articles
8. Developing more non-English language content and interfaces
9. Developing multiple options to ensure persistent access to electronic
content
The updated "Guidelines for Statistical Measures ..." clarifies the requirements
for reporting library usage of vendor systems based on the experience of
consortia since the original guideline was issued in November 1998. The
data elements to be reported have been simplified, while administrative
aspects of confidentiality, access, delivery, and report format have been
strengthened.
The complete original and updated Statements and Guidelines with endorsing
library consortia and additional information about the ICOLC can be found
at http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia.
The Statement and Guideline updates are each initially endorsed by 70 library
consortia from around the world. More endorsements will be added to each
as received.
The ICOLC was founded in 1996. The coalition is an international, informal
group currently comprising over 160 library consortia in North America,
Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa. The member consortia serve all types
and sizes of libraries. ICOLC facilitates discussion among consortia on
issues of common interest, and conducts two meetings per year in North
America and one meeting each year in Europe. The organization is dedicated
to keeping its members informed about electronic information resources,
pricing practices of electronic publishers and vendors, and other issues
of importance to consortium directors and governing boards. The coalition
also meets with the information provider community to discuss product offerings
and issues of mutual concern.
More information about ICOLC can be found at http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia
or by contacting Tom Sanville, Executive Director, OhioLINK, Suite 300,
2455 North Star Road, Columbus, OH 43221, 614/728-3600, ext. 322; tom@ohiolink.edu.
Source: International Coalition of Library Consortia; http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia. |
