MIT Libraries seeks to provide as many information resources as possible via the MIT network, in order to bridge the geographic gaps within the library system and to provide desktop delivery to scholars. However, due to financial and staffing constraints, we expect at least a decade of a mixed environment of stand-alone CD-ROM products, LANS, and providing resources on MITnet.

During this interim period, our choices for resources to provide on MITnet will be driven by size and breadth of the intended user community, centrality of the product to MIT's mission, balance of coverage for the various user groups, price, platform compatibility, and product readiness and superiority to other formats or delivery mechanisms.

Due to limited staff resources, preference will often be given to products provided by connecting to a publisher's or vendor's server. NUT is currently documenting technical factors to consider in assessing the feasibility of mounting products on MITnet. As more experience is gained, more definitive guidelines will be developed.

The need to archive the information is an additional consideration in making choices regarding digital resources. Usually the license for the product does not transfer ownership to the Libraries. In many cases, the vendor provides the digital product in a pricing package with the print product, so the print product can serve as the archival copy. In other cases, such as ephemeral databases, there may be no need to archives Other responses will be appropriate in various situations: negotiating with the vendor for retention, deciding not to license the product, or foregoing ownership and archiving. The Libraries have yet to define to what degree or in what circumstances it will assume responsibility for digital archiving. Consortial relationships may provide a basis for archival responsibility decisions.

Last updated 961003