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When journals change publishers the URL for the electronic version of the journal is likely to change. The new publisher will need to communicate to agents and subscribers the new URL and requirements for access (IP address ranges for example). Subscribers will have to note this change and supply the new publisher with the required information to enable access to be continued. In some cases the backfile of the old issues prior to the year of transfer to the new publisher may remain with the old publishers and continue to be accessible on the old URL - either temporarily or in rare cases permanently. This results in the electronic version of the journal being split between the two publishers. These transfers can result in confusion for the agent and customer and frequently result in access problems. It is imperative that in order to ensure the subscriber continues to receive uninterrupted access that the new publisher’s requirements and URL for access are clearly communicated together with information on how to access the backfile if it is remaining with the old publisher even for a short period of time.
The ASA requests that the publishers concerned should coordinate their efforts to ensure that the new access requirements are clearly stated and are communicated to both agents and customers as far in advance of the changes as possible. It is also very helpful for agents and subscribers, and very much in the publishers’ interest, if the agent is enabled to re-register and set up the subscriptions on behalf of their clients. In this way the agent can make the required changes rapidly and efficiently for all their subscribing clients. ALPSP has published a set of guidelines on the transfer of journals between publishers which the ASA recommends - see When a Society journal moves to a new publisher: Guidelines for good practice.
page last modified 17/11/04, © ASA