FOR ITS MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
NO. 8 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA - NEWSLETTER OF THE SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS JANUARY2002
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Mathematics LibraryThe Mathematics Library's collection continues to grow, with over 42,000 book and journal volumes and ever-increasing access to electronic resources. Price inflation for mathematics and science materials, however, continues to outstrip the modest fund increases provided by the University. As a result, 16 subscriptions had to be cancelled from among the 300 journals received; they were carefully selected, based on faculty comments and evaluative data, to minimize the adverse effect on teaching and research. One strategy was to cut a journal costing several thousand dollars in exchange for new subscriptions to more cost-effective journals in the same area. It is hoped that such action, in combination with researchers' and editorial boards' efforts, will moderate the unsustainable publishing practices that contribute to the problem. The Librarian and the Mathematics Library Faculty Committee encourage the evolution of scholarly communication, while also advocating for an improved funding system. We continue to refine the balance of resources provided by the Mathematics Library, to use our resources most effectively so that students' and researchers needs for books as well as networked information and services are met. Kristine Fowler, Mathematics Librarian |