Internet publishing update : Assessing the impact of changes in publishing technology on libraries

Changes in publishing technology are redefining the economics and even the structure of serials. In a speech to the NASIG audience, the author describes three technology trends that will impact the relationship among authors, publishers and libraries: the shift to digital masters; the rising importance of the Web and its impact on the economies, manufacturing and distribution of publishing; and the growth of the World Wide Web as the gateway to what peoplc get from libraries. For each, a set of pressing, as yet unresolved issues is presented. The author suggests that during this transition period, when serials are published in both printed and electronic form, publishers and libraries work together to establish standard practices for the coming age of all-electronic journals.