Access versus ownership: how real an alternative is it?

Abstract

Libraries are facing the alternative of document access versus ownership, as one of the main consequences of severe cuts in the budget. The author studies the problems of usage, effective supply, expenses, future changes, alternative systems of publication, current material and backfies. The result is that librarians should not choose access exclusively on the expense of ownership. On the contrary: library ownership (collection acquisitions) is the guarantee of access: if a document is nowhere available, it cannot be accessed. The ownership of hard copy documents offers several advantages for users which they prefer to other document access modes, e.g., they prefer browsing of documents on open shelves and finding relevant information this way. The library should focus on acquisitions of current material, and get rid of older documents by transferring them to national document depository and supply centre. The possibility of accessing, especially of journals, has to be a part of library services, though not the only means of document supply.