The library unit which houses or provides access to an electronic resource is responsible for the day-today oversight of licensing requirements. Final responsibility for compliance with licensing agreements rests with the University Librarian or their designee, in consultation with appropriate University offices, as appropriate. Duplicate copies of electronic resources will be obtained only in cases of clearly demonstrated need when networking or other alternatives are not available or practical. At this time, the Library may elect to continue a subscription to the original print or microform version of an electronic resource, as deemed appropriate on a title by title basis. However, only in the rarest of instances, shall more than one print or microform version of the electronic resource be maintained in the University Library.
Different formats are necessary to meet the different needs of user groups.
There is a cost benefit to providing access in multiple formats. Hardware or software necessary to use the electronic resource in a particular format is limited or unreliable. The physical preservation of electronic resources shall be consistent with the Library's over-all preservation policy and shall be overseen by the Preservation Officer. As a general rule, the Library seeks to provide the broadest level of access for those electronic resources that will be of the greatest utility to the greatest number of users. USCGopher provides an almost equal level of access, but to a considerably different set of information content, particularly in terms of breadth.