Conclusions

A digital distribution system for storing and accessing scholarly communications has been constructed and installed on the campuses of Case Western Reserve University and the University of Akron. This low-cost system can be extended to other institutions with similar requirements because the system components, together with the way they have been integrated, were chosen to facilitate the diffusion of these technologies. This distribution system successfully separates ownership of library materials from access to them.

The most interesting aspect of the new digital distribution system is that libraries can form consortia that can share specialized materials rather than duplicate them in parallel, redundant collections. When a consortium can share a single subscription to a highly specialized journal, then we have the basis for controlling and possibly reducing the total cost of library materials, because we can eliminate duplicative subscriptions. We believe that the future of academic libraries points to the maintenance of a basic core collection, the selective acquisition of specialty materials, and the sharing across telecommunications networks of standard scholarly works. The consortial model that we have built and tested is one way to accomplish this goal. Our approach is contrasted with the common behavior of building up ever larger collections of standard works so that over time, academic libraries begin to look alike in their collecting habits, offer almost duplicative services, and require larger budgets. This project is attempting to find another path.

Over the past decade, several interesting experiments have been conducted to test different ideas for developing digital libraries, and more are under way. With many differing ideas and visions, an empirical approach is a sound way to make

progress from this point forward. Our consortium model with its many explicit standards and integrated technologies seems to us to be an experiment worth continuing. During the next few years it will surely develop a base of performance data that should provide insights for the future. In this way, experience will benefit visioning.