[13350] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: LookSmart and the Gale Group to offer free Web access to arti cles
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Balch, Timothy A)
Fri Jun 9 20:05:05 2000
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Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2000 16:16:32 -0400
From: "Balch, Timothy A" <balch@MARSHALL.EDU>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
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Our state academic library directors group passed on to us the response that
a
librarian in Alabama got from her Gale rep about the Looksmart issue.
Included
was this briefing prepared by the sales rep's higher-up.
>Subject: LookSmart
>
>... I'm happy to provide some framework for our relationship
>with LookSmart. First and foremost, it's important to note that the
>LookSmart service isn't even close in scope, depth, or breadth to Infotrac
>and shouldn't be construed as such. Here are the key points of the
>relationship:
>
>1) Gale is LookSmart's exclusive partner for this particular application.
>2) It's an advertising supported model, that is, abstracts and full-text
>articles are monetized through the selling of targeted advertising. So,
>while the service is "free" to the end user -- just as the library
>researcher uses Infotrac via the library for free -- the advertiser pays
>for the display.
>3) The service is a very small library of 300 periodicals covering a
>variety of subject areas, largely consumer in nature.
>4) Periodicals are either full text or abstracts.
>5) The service allows searching by topic only -- it's very, very simple and
>limited. Can't search by author, journal, issue, etc.
>6) Periodical set reaches back only two (2) years
>
>We chose to work with LookSmart because this company mirrors Gale in their
>commitment to editorial quality and their high regard for the way
>information is presented to the end user. The company also has very strong
>financials and wide reach. It's our hope that this business model -- a new
>one for Gale -- will provide our publishers with increased royalties.
>
>As you can see from the brief description I've provided above, the
>LookSmart service doesn't even mirror Infotrac. Business Development is
>viewing this as an experiment with a new business model and as a good
>opportunity to work with a key web navigator.
>
Tim
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy A. Balch e: balch@marshall.edu
Reference Services/AT Librarian v: 304.696.2335
John Deaver Drinko Library 134 f: 304.696.5858
Marshall University, Huntington WV 25755-2060
