Electronic journals in academic libraries: a comparison of ARL and non‐ARL libraries

In late 1997/early 1998, we conducted a survey dealing with library provision of electronic journals and other electronic resources. We compared the responses from a census of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) to a sample of non‐ARL Master’s, Doctoral, and Research institutions. Of the 299 libraries surveyed, 250 surveys were returned for a response rate of 83.6 percent. Analysis of the responses emphasizes the number and types of computers available in libraries, electronic resources in libraries, past and future cancellation decisions and archiving responsibilities. It was determined that both ARL and non‐ARL libraries offer extensive electronic services to their constituents. Libraries are beginning to cancel paper journals in favor of electronic versions. There is little consensus about who will archive electronic journals.