21st Annual Conference and Exhibition : Programme

30 March - 1 April 1998

University of Exeter

The majority of the conference papers will be appearing in Serials. Please refer to the Events page for details of other UKSG events, and of next year's conference.

Monday 30 March

Tuesday 31 March

Wednesday 1 April

Workshops

It will greatly benefit all workshop participants if they can undertake some advance preparation in their chosen subjects, and bring with them to the sessions any documentation from their own organisations likely to be of general interest.

1. Serials pricing issues
Mary Fugle, Blackwell's Information Services

In this workshop we shall explore various aspects of serials pricing including pricing models, mechanisms for charging and the issues surrounding the forecasting of changes in serials prices.

2. A beginner's guide to electronic library formats
Judith Wusteman, University College Dublin

HTML has come to epitomise Web publishing in the last few years. But there are many other formats that have an important role in the electronic library. We will discuss some of these, such as SGML, PDF, PostScript, LaTeX, ASCII, and multimedia formats. We shall also look at the implications of XML, one of the most exciting recent developments in the field of document formats.

3. What next for organisational libraries ?
Mark Field, Library Association

Information management, information technology and telecommunications are at last coming together to bring about the revolution that we have been anticipating for two decades or more. Or is it more of a collision than a revolution? Either way, we have a role in creating order out of chaos. Some of us have made a start, some are just starting. Let's look at what we can do.

4. Managing the electronic journal
Tony Kidd, University of Glasgow

E-journals have featured on the UKSG Conference agenda for at least the last seven years. At last, they are becoming more widely available, and we are moving on to manage their integration into the standard library service. The workshop will look at examples of this, and discuss options and ways forward.

5. Document delivery options
Anne Morris, Loughborough University

Faced with ever dwindling resources for acquisitions many librarians are considering switching from 'just in case' to 'just in time' provision. BLRDD has long been the main provider of document requests but what other options are available and what effect does 'just in time' provision have on library budgets, payment protocols, staffing, users, training, technology, copyright, etc? This workshop will be your opportunity to explore these issues.

6. Bibliographic control of serials
Sarah Thompson, University of York

This workshop will aim to address the crucial bibliographic issues facing serials librarians. While the traditional problems of changes of title, publisher and frequency remain, an ever-increasing number of electronic journals must also be dealt with. This session will therefore concentrate on aspects related to the cataloguing of electronic journals, beginning with a description of how and why we have catalogued electronic journals at York, and leading on to a discussion of the experiences of others.

7. Understanding licensing agreements
John Cox, Carfax Publishing Ltd

The emergence of online and CD-ROM products and the creation of purchasing consortia have created the need for written agreements setting out what libraries can and cannot do with the content that they license. Everyone suddenly has to understand some basic legal principles in order to acquire and to provide access to such material. This workshop is designed to assist librarians and publishers to interpret and negotiate licence agreements. Topics will include: the importance of definitions; what every licence should cover; prospects for standard form licences; and the PA/JISC model licence and other sources of information.

8. Evaluating and measuring usage of e-journals
Neil Jacobs, Loughborough University

This workshop is intended to explore some of the issues around assessing the value of e-journals and collections of e-journals. Moving from a brief set of definitions, the workshop will then consider the practicalities of measuring e-journal use and the implications of those practicalities. Finally, we will look at which criteria can and should be used in assessing online collections of e-journals.

9. Tendering for library services and supplies
David Sidebottom, Swets Subscription Service
Jill Taylor-Roe, University of Newcastle

Are you involved in the tendering process as a member of a group or as a lone institution? What are the expected goals and are they realistic? What practical steps are needed to facilitate the process? There will be a high level of participation in this workshop as we consider these questions and share experiences.

10. Web design, structure and management
Sheila Harden, Consultant

A web site needs to be planned, structured and designed carefully from the beginning. This workshop will give you the hints and tips you need to make your site user-friendly and accessible. Use of graphics, navigation, layout and speech friendliness are just some of the topics that will be covered.

11. Electronic copyright permissions
Elizabeth Gadd, eLib Project ACORN

This workshop will examine the issues involved in seeking electronic copyright clearance. Discussions will focus on the most effective electronic permission-seeking strategies both in terms of identifying and approaching rights holders and also in terms of possible future developments.

12. Outsourcing

Diane Edmunds, Instant Library

As organisations look to cut direct costs and contract out services such as reprographics and security, libraries and information centres are increasingly coming under close scrutiny. Harrod's Librarian's Glossary defines outsourcing as "the use of external contractors to provide parts of a library or information service", and contracting out as "the process whereby libraries concentrate on core activities and invite outside agencies to tender for the supply of certain services" - are these two concepts synonymous?

13. Linking quality information resources on the Web

Steve Hitchcock and Les Carr, University of Southampton, Open Journal Project

Even with the dramatic acceleration in the number of quality sources such as journals available on the Web there are demands for tools to manage these resources to improve access and visibility for users. At each stage in the information chain a new interface needs to be developed to point, or link, users to the materials they need. Aimed at subscription agents, librarians and publishers, this workshop will offer a practical introduction to a set of software tools to enable these links to be constructed.

Introduction
Exeter is a Roman town situated on the south west coast of England, with a history stretching back 2,000 years. The city is rich in architectural heritage with examples of medieval, Georgian, Tudor and Victorian styles. It is surrounded by delightful rolling Devon countryside, close to the unspoilt beauty of Dartmoor and Exmoor. The coast has sand and pebble beaches beneath high red cliffs.

The University is set in attractive gardens close to the city centre. The Peter Chalk Centre is a modern exhibition and catering area adjacent to the Newman Lecture Theatre. Accommodation will be in single rooms with their own bathroom.

Because of space limitations at Exeter, this year we have been forced to limit our total number of delegates to 400. Don't miss out - book early!

Travel and preceding Sunday night accommodation

The M4/M5 motorway links Exeter directly to London, the Midlands, South Wales and the North, including Scotland. Exeter St David's station is served by Intercity trains, and is approximately 10 minutes' walk from the University, although a courtesy bus will run between the station and the Peter Chalk Centre on Monday morning, and at the end of the Conference on Wednesday. Train travel times are approximately 2 hours from London, 3 hours from the Midlands. Exeter Aiport is five miles from the city centre with direct flights to many UK and continental cities.

For delegates preferring to arrive on the Sunday before the Conference (29 March), an informal dinner at a local pub and bed and breakfast for that night at the University is being offered as an optional extra on the booking form.

A map will be included with the confirmation of booking.

Workshops
There will be two workshop sessions: the first on Monday afternoon is repeated on Tuesday afternoon. Each session will consist of thirteen workshops. Delegates may attend a different workshop in each session, chosen at the time of booking.

Tourist information

Information on local attractions will be provided with the confirmation of booking so that if delegates would like to extend their stay either side of the Conference they may choose their own itinerary. Accommodation for additional nights can be arranged at the University. Please contact the UKSG office for availability.

Special requirements and catering

Please indicate on the booking form if a vegetarian diet is required. There is the option of having a packed lunch on Wednesday 1 April for those delegates who need to leave immediately after the close of the Conference. Advanced notice is required; please see booking form. If you have any other special dietary or access needs please contact the Business Manager at the time of booking.

Fees
The full residential fee for members of the UK Serials Group is [sterling]255.00 + [sterling]44.63 vat ([sterling]299.63) and [sterling]320.00 + [sterling]56.00 vat ([sterling]376.00) for non-members. The non-member fee includes membership of the Group for 1998. This Conference fee covers attendance at sessions, workshops, all meals, refreshments, social functions and accommodation for the nights of 30 and 31 March. For details of day rates and accommodation for the preceding Sunday night, please refer to the booking form.

Closing date, cancellations and surcharge

The closing date for applications is 6 March 1998. There will be a charge of 50% of the Conference fee for any cancellations received after 6 March 1998. Cancellations received after 13 March 1998 will not be eligible for refund. Bookings received after 6 March 1998 will attract a late-booking surcharge of 10% due to the additional administration incurred.