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Dear ALCTS Members and LRTS Subscribers,

We would like to take this opportunity to inform you of an important decision regarding Library Resources and Technical Services (LRTS). We are proud to publish a quality peer-reviewed scholarly journal that features papers on cutting edge technologies and the latest developments in technical services to keep you informed and prepared to meet the challenges posed by the evolving nature of our profession. As you are aware, many long-standing journals have dropped their print editions and now publish in an e-only format. This pattern includes the ALA division publications College & Research Libraries, ITAL, and RUSQ. The big news is that ALCTS’ flagship publication will transition to an electronic-only (e-only) publication over the coming year.

Following a thorough examination of LRTS’ expenses and various publishing models, the ALCTS board of directors has voted to move to an e-only LRTS. This decision will realize considerable savings by eliminating printing and mailing costs. The shift to e-only will allow for even more timely delivery of content. LRTS will continue to follow its established publication schedule with four issues per year. We will retain the look and feel of the print, including the cover art that has become a standard feature. Readers will have the ability to print selected sections of each issue. Other features offered by an e-only LRTS are the ability to select articles for downloading or emailing. An e-only LRTS also provides an advanced search function, plus the ability to set up an alert for new issues and recommend articles or issues to colleagues via email. Consideration of moving to an e-only model for LRTS was investigated by the 2013 Emerging Leaders Team D, who submitted a report with three financial models and also addressed the issue of open access (OA).

Some issues to be considered during the transition to e-only include the following:

• Are page limitations for submissions a consideration in an e-only journal?
• What is the best mechanism to alert ALCTS members and subscribers when new issues are available?
• Should new publishing models for submissions be considered that are compatible with an e-only publication?
• What impact might switching to e-only have readership and subscriptions?

The last issue of LRTS to be published simultaneously in print and electronically is volume 58, number 4 (October 2014). The first e-only issue will be volume 59, number 1 (January 2015). Our intent is to give you sufficient advance notice to make any preparations affecting your personal or institutional subscription. A year might seem like a long time, yet it is not in practical terms, and efforts to make this transition will begin immediately. We believe that starting a new year with the new publication model will enable a smooth transition.

The first issue of LRTS was published in 1957 and is available on the journal’s website, as are all other previous issues up to volume 58, number 1 (January 2014). While there have been changes to LRTS over the years, moving from a print journal to a hybrid model and finally to e-only, we assure you that the mission and quality of content have remained constant. The first issue includes a piece titled “Introducing LRTS” and outlines how the journal began. Although that column was written in 1957, what was then written is applicable to the e-only model: “This is the first issue of a new magazine called Library Resources and Technical Services. To many readers there will be something familiar about it—and with reason. For it is an old friend in a new dress—or a new friend in an old dress, depending on the viewpoint.”

Thank you for your continued support and readership of LRTS.

Sincerely,

Genevieve S. Owens

ALCTS President

Mary Beth Weber

Editor, Library Resources and Technical Services