Archive and Use Policy

Description | Policy | FAQ | Task Force | AIP Partners with Portico

AIP recognizes the valid concerns of librarians and others regarding the need for ongoing access to scholarly research as publishing moves into the online era. Our policy addresses this important issue head on. It does not make broad promises about future access; rather, it honestly addresses the complex issues of retention and access.

In addition to affirming our position regarding the archival process, the policy we have developed responds to library concerns about the print era concept of quot;subscription" meaning ownership being replaced in the online era by the meaning access for a defined period of time. The "Use" portion of the policy recognizes the impractical challenge to a publisher to retain records of who subscribed to what volumes of a journal for all time, and permits libraries to acquire and maintain their own archival copy.

This policy has been in development for more than two years. The original draft was developed by a Task Force that encouraged active participation by librarians in their deliberations. The original draft and subsequent revisions benefited from comments provided by three AIP oversight committees (Database and Online Services, Serials, Publishing Policy) and comments from representatives of AIP's 10 Member Societies. Prior to adoption on 12 June 1998 by the AIP Executive Committee, it was reviewed by the full AIP Governing Board.

AIP Policy: Archiving and Use of AIP Electronic Information

Frequently Asked Questions concerning the AIP Archive Policy

Comments or questions regarding this policy are welcomed. Please address your comments to Tim Ingoldsby, Director of Business Development.