PDF-document - 10th International Bielefeld Conference

access to those resources from customers’ preferred interfaces such as WebOPAC’s and abstracting & indexing databases.Using SwetsNet's ‘multi-level linking technology’ the user can make use of the‘linking-in’ option. In that case, the user doesn’t start in SwetsNet, but performs asearch in another system (e.g. an electronic database, a Web OPAC, aconsortium homepage). From the search results in this system (e.g.database/catalog record), there is a link to SwetsNet on journal level (givesSwetsNet journal issue list), on issue level (gives SwetsNet issue TOC), or onarticle level (gives SwetsNet abstract). The URL’s for these hyperlinks need to beincluded in the database/catalog record. Access will only be granted if thecustomer’s IP-address is registered with Swets and the customer is authorized tohave access, i.e. has a subscription.• Online databases servicesElectronic databases are now increasingly becoming available via the Internet. Inthis case the database is downloaded from its physical carrier onto a computerserver. The database title is then available to subscribers over wide areanetworks (the Internet), giving remote access capabilities to librarians and endusers. Key advantages for subscribers are that no additional investments inhardware, disk space, maintenance and support are needed, and that somebodyelse takes care of the disc handling (loading updates). Various subscriptionagents have agreements with publishers for them to ‘host’ publishers’ productson a server. Swets has had such arrangements with SilverPlatter since 1995 andwith Dialog OnDisc since 1998, and is exploring further opportunities.• E-Media servicesAgents are strongly placed to provide subscription services for E-Media products(CD ROM, online databases, e-journals, etc.). They have close links with thelibrary community, their trading relationships with publishers are long established,as are their payment and financial systems. Building on the traditional valueadded services for print, most agent have developed sophisticated E-Mediaservices, both for electronic database products and for electronic journals.The E-Media services offered by agents are built on their traditional services, buttake into account the special character electronic products. The services areusually threefold: (1) information services, (2) subscription administrationservices, and (3) support services.11