Bricks, Bytes, or Both? The Probable Impact of Scholarly Electronic Publishing on Library Space Needs

Abstract

There is legitimate enthusiasm for scholarly electronic publishing and its potentials. However, the key question for libraries is not whether electronic publishing will continue to grow in importance, but rather how quickly it will displace printed books and journals in the specialized scholarly publishing marketplace. An increasing number of academic libraries face severe space problems, and supplementing print publications with electronic versions will not save library space--it will increase space needs in the near term as a growing number of workstations are added to provide access to electronic information. It is only when the library replaces print with electronic sources that the potential to save space emerges as a result of electronic publishing. If Nostradamus were alive, he might be able to predict when scholarly electronic publishing will reach such a critical mass. This essay will not try to do so; however, it will briefly outline some critical factors that may slow the evolution of scholarly electronic publishing, extend the life of the printed word, and necessitate the continued existence of physical library facilities.