Editorial

Citation

(2006), "Editorial", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 34 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilds.2006.12234caa.001

Editorial

Viewed from an Olympian perspective, document supply seems to be archaic and on its way out. However, fortunately, both for the ancient Greeks and for us there are other perspectives. On the ground, work goes on in order to make the information chain work better, harder and cheaper. This issue carries articles that describe current developments – in particular in Denmark and in New Zealand. Systems are being developed that at last place the end user at the centre – or rather at the beginning and the end. The UK National Health Service developments in this area are covered as well as in the article from New Zealand. The experience of a commercial international pharmaceutical firm based in Denmark will be of interest to more than those who work in that sector. The prices charged by BLDSC have changed dramatically in the last few years and the only empirical study done on their impact comes from the UK health sector – with some surprising conclusions. The experience of a large research institution in the USA comes up with some fascinating figures on costs and how customer feedback helps to guide development. We carry another article on grey literature which looks at a number of major collections and their involvement in Open Access. Then we have two reviews – the normal Literature Review by your editor covering about 140 journals and assorted web sites and newsletters which looks, inter alia at some of the general issues affecting document supply – Open Access, copyright and Digital Rights management, mass digitisation, Big Deals and e-books … and the sixth in an occasional series on the UK scene by Stephen Prowse, written in his inimitable style. And lastly – a book review by Maurice Line – known I am sure to all readers of ILDS.

I hope that you find some or all of the articles of use and/or interest in your work and study.