The transition of scholarly journals from print to electronic formats is affecting libraries and publishers in numerous ways, by permitting new business and pricing models, altering existing revenue sources, revamping internal operations, and introducing new kinds of publications. Following up on a previous study on library economics and working with an outside consultant, this project concluded that the incentives for smaller publishers to convert to electronic formats are less clear than those encountered by larger publishers. The fate of many smaller publishers and their journals is an important area for concern in the transition to an increasingly electronic environment. The publications and presentations resulting from this study sought to provide a strategic perspective that could help libraries and publishers plan for the transition.

Related Publications:

• Roger C. Schonfeld, “Getting from Here to There, Safely: Library Strategic Planning for the Transition Away from Print Journals,” The Serials Librarian 52, no. 1/2 (forthcoming 2007)
• Eileen Gifford Fenton and Roger C. Schonfeld, “The Shift Away From Print,” Inside Higher Ed, December 8, 2005.

Presentations:

• Roger C. Schonfeld, “Library Strategic Planning for the Transition away from Print Journals,” Charleston Conference, Charleston, South Carolina, November 11, 2006.
• Roger C. Schonfeld, “The Transition to Electronic-Only Format: Incentives and Obstacles,” Blackwell Executive Seminar, Washington, DC, June 16, 2006.
• Roger C. Schonfeld, “The Transition Away from Print,” JSTOR Participating Publishers Meeting, New York, NY, May 16, 2006
• Roger C. Schonfeld, “Getting from Here to There, Safely: Incentives and Considerations in the Transition to Electronic-Only Format,” North American Serials Interest Group, Denver, Colorado, May 5 and 7, 2006.
• Roger C. Schonfeld, "The Transition to Electronic-Only Format: Costs and Considerations," United Kingdom Serials Group, Annual Meeting, Warwick, England, April 6, 2006.