Early this year proposed changes to the Journals page were detailed on Counterculture (see E-journals portal (Serials Solutions)). These changes were implemented but it has now become apparent that we need to revisit the inclusion of the information in the “Go directly to the database or journal publisher’s website” section.
We have had a number of queries recently from information librarians and academics related to what users can and can not do as far as downloading from databases, and the inclusion of this material in course packs, etc. We have also received queries from other library staff wanting to know what publisher packages have been selected in Serials Solutions with regard to their field of interest.
When the list of publishers was removed from the page the quick links to “View terms of use” for each publisher was no longer displayed. This means that the benefit of having quick and easy access to licencing information has been excluded and people now need to look for a particular publisher’s title to determine what they are allowed to do. How do they know that and do they always know what title they want?
To see what this would add to our current page, have a look at the Jackson Library, Stanford Business School, or University of the Sunshine Coast journals pages. Other NZ library sites, including those with Serials Solutions, are also displaying the publisher links.
Consequently, we would like to reinstate the publisher links to the Journals page. Please let us have your comments.
Good idea – put ’em back
I concur. 🙂
The original reasons for simplifing this page still applies. Usability testing showed the students were bewildered by the choice. Adding these links does not help most of our users. Unfortunately it is an all or nothing choice, and would need a enhancement by Serials Solutions to have alternative access.
I would query "does not help most of our users". What proportion of our users does usability testing represent and how do we know how more savvy users make use of this feature? Users also need to scroll down the page to see its full extent – what’s the bet most users see the search box they are looking for and that’s that. It’s also not strictly an "all or nothing choice". The entire list of our subscribed resources does not have to appear on the page; we can have a reduced list of selected publishers.