David,

Putting  my Librarian hat on and combining it with my temperance
knowledge, here are my thoughts on the reference work- The Standard
Encyclopedia of the Alcohol Problem, 6 vols., E.H. Cherrington
(American Issue, 1925-30).

I strongly agree that such works have not been superseded by more
recent works. Although I have rarely used the work I have used the
Winskills the UK work, indeed own copies. These reference texts
are, in many ways, ripe for digitaliazation. As far as librarians are
concerned such electronic reference works should be networked to
provide desk top access. This unfortunately can bump up the price.
As I don't know the USA copyright laws,  this may also have a
financial consideration: though the work is now about 70 years old!!

A key consideration for librarian is will an electronic book be cost
effective, how many will use it, how often etc. Here in Britain
university librarian budgets are not as high as in the USA. Indeed,
my own university library is having to make "hard choices"!!.


The American market would probably justify electronic publishing of
the work but I suspect the demand in the UK would be slight as drink
and temperance are not as well developed.

Access to electronic information is increasing being delivered via
the Internet and ip addresses and usernames and passwords required.

In some ways works like this should be part of a wider programme of
digitalization of ATH core books that would have a wider appeal, or
distributed free on the net

Hope these thoughts from a wintery Manchester UK are of value.


Margaret Barrow








Dr Margaret Barrow
Joule Library
UMIST,
P.O. Box 88
Sackville St.,
Manchester M60 1QD

Tel +44 61 200 4932
Fax +44 61 200 4941
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