Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1999

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Information Sciences

Major Professor

Carol Tenopir

Committee Members

William Robinson, Mark Littmann

Abstract

This study establishes a baseline of the current status of university presses and their development of electronic publishing programs. A Survey was sent to ninety-five university presses that are members of theAssociation of American University Presses and are located in the UnitedStates and Canada. The results analyze the physical size of apress—^number of staff members and number of books published—and fiscal size—operating budget and net sales—^and whether or not a press publishes journals to determine the influence these variables have on whether or not a university press has an electronic publishing program.Respondents identified their electronic publishing activities,characterized appropriate projects for electronic publication, and listed factors that have influenced the development of electronic publishing programs. Presses that did not have an electronic publishing program listed a variety of reasons why they have not entered this model of publishing.A 60% response rate afforded a typical picture of university presses and electronic publishing. The findings indicate that the larger the press in number of employees, number of books published annually, amount of operating budget, and annual net sales, the more likely they are to have an electronic publishing program. Whether or not a press has a journals publishing program was not statistically significant enough to conclude the influence of journals on an electronic publishing program.Responding presses reported that the most appropriate projects for electronic publishing are reference works and encyclopedias. The main characteristics of an electronic project, whether published in electronic only format or in parallel format (print and online) are searching capabilities and access, content of the project, audience needs, cost of publishing, linking opportunities, frequent updates, and use of the material.Presses with an electronic publishing program have been influenced mostly by technology advances and availability. Success Ratings of electronic publishing by these presses are based on learning new technology, meeting the mission of the press to disseminate information, and publicizing and promoting the press.The presses without an electronic publishing program named a number of factors that had kept them from developing electronic projects.The main reasons are lack of money, not enough staff, and no appropriate projects. These presses would develop electronic projects if funding was made available, staff were trained, and market demand increased.All presses with and without electronic publishing foresee the increased development of electronic projects. These listings of factors influencing and preventing electronic publishing at university presses are the first of their kind. They provide a baseline for the current status of electronic publishing at university presses and offer ideas and challenges for the future use of technology.

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