TechEssence.info

For a while now I've noticed that journal articles from some not-for-profit (but not free) content delivery projects--like JSTOR and Project MUSE--have populated my Google search results. But the implications of that never sunk in until I sat in on recent presentations by salespeople from both Thomson Gale and EBSCO, both of who say they are working with Google on a similar capability: results from their databases will appear in Google results.

Summary

Electronic Resource Management (ERM) describes software used to manage digital subscriptions in libraries. Typically, the routines include subscription product names, descriptions, producer, aggregator, license start and end dates, renewal alerts, images of contracts, price and payment terms, payment records, access URLs, usernames and passwords, interface administrative URLs, verification access methods, access restrictions, vendor contacts, contact history, and links to usage reports.

To anyone who was working in libraries more than a few years ago, the combination of widespread OpenURL support and smart link resolvers has an aura of deep magic to it. Add in a healthy e-journal collection and it seems almost miraculous, when everything works right. Vendor X has a link in their database going to Vendor Y’s resolver, which has a link to the full text on Vendor Z’s site (or tells you about ILL, document delivery options, or – heavens forfend! – print copies in the library). Seamless interoperability – just add good citation data.