Towards consensus on the electronic use of publications in libraries

Research and academic education depend integrally on communication. In the world of print, the publication chain comprises authors (as produc- ers), publishers (as distributors), and libraries (as collectors of material from different sources and long-term archives providing services to users). Booksellers, subscription agents and collecting societies play sup- porting roles. These roles are not necessarily the same in the electronic environment. One of the main aims of the TECUP project was to bring together representatives of all the major players in the value chain. The project partners and the members of the Advisory Groups represented librar- ies, publishers, distribution agencies and collecting societies from across Europe. There were three Advisory Groups, for legal, technical and strategy issues.