E-Resource Access Early in the Year
To ensure a smooth transition of electronic and print subscriptions at the beginning of every year, HSLS Resource Management staff typically start working on annual renewals as early as August. While the transition is mostly seamless, it is not unusual for library users to experience occasional problems accessing electronic journals early in a new year.
Most electronic journals subscriptions, like our print subscriptions, are based on the calendar year. Lapses with e-journal access can occur in January, and even as late as March, for a variety of reasons. A journal may change publishers, or may be no longer covered by existing agreements for electronic access from the same provider, causing a service disruption. Access that had previously been provided as part of the print subscription may now require a separate fee, and access may be suspended until that payment is made. Technical issues on the provider’s part may also be a factor.
Similar lapses have always occurred in print subscriptions as well, but the library was alerted to them by the absence of incoming new issues. In the electronic environment, such problems are more difficult to detect. In any of the above cases, the provider or our subscription agent may alert the library to the change in advance, but often we find out through serendipity, just as you do.
If you encounter any problem accessing the HSLS licensed e-journals, please notify us so that we can resolve these issues as quickly as possible. You may report access problems via email at techserv@pitt.edu or by phone at 412-648-2065.
--Liping Song
