The social position of electronic text centers Available to Purchase

Electronic text centers exist in tension with structures and functions of research libraries that have been optimized to handle print materials. This article details the establishment and subsequent development of an e‐text center in the Cornell University Library and the issues that have been raised: the effects of spanning traditionally separate areas of the library, such as collection development, reference and instruction, information technology and support, and stack maintenance; the need for a wide range of language, technical and people skills in e‐text center staff; and the importance of collaboration with other parts of the library, other staff in the university, and other universities. As centers create more e‐texts locally, libraries will face increasing pressure to make the organizational changes necessary to effectively manage electronic collections.