The Importance of Modern Archives

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What is the ideal scenario for a librarian when it comes to purchasing an online serial? I think it usually comes down to three major factors; Is the access IP authenticated? Is the access unlimited? Does the subscription include access to the complete archive?

With Exact Editions, librarians can rest assured that we will always meet the first two requirements. However, as much as we always strive to meet the third, occasionally there are barriers which restrict our ability to offer the complete archive. The reasoning varies from case to case, sometimes it is financial, sometimes it is licensing, and sometimes it is exclusivity. Whatever the cause, all is not lost.

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The Modern Archive of TLS includes every issue as it is released

In those cases where we are unable to acquire the complete archive, we still aim to provide what we are now calling the ‘Modern Archive’. This remains a very rich and attractive proposition for libraries, namely because of the fact the archives on the platform are always rolling, and therefore expanding. The best recent example of this is The Times Literary Supplement, which joined the platform only last week. We are in the fortunate position of being the sole institutional provider of the archives from 2012 — Present. As expected we immediately received a storm of interest from universities around the world; the modern archive of TLS is a much-desired resource (especially with the promise of a new issue every week) and will supplement current library holdings.

Library holdings bring me to the next point, the problem of ‘fixed’ archives. This happens when online providers will only secure a deal for certain years of an archive, e.g. 1980–2015. Now this will obviously be a powerful resource with 35 years of content, however, students will be missing out on recent and future issues, which are often very important as they are culturally current. Exact Editions has always leaned away from these ‘landlocked’ archives, instead opting to always offer institutions an archive which is going to grow and bring the latest content.

“Can I check: does it mirror exactly the latest printed content of the TLS, so that guaranteed access to the current issue is provided?” — Interested librarian

This question we received from a potential institutional subscriber illustrates my point exactly. Librarians are always keen to secure content which is at the forefront of its field. When archives are growing organically they are pushing the user and their research with them into the future — not just providing retrospective glimpses of what once was there.

Any comments or suggestions? Please feel free to get in touch via info@exacteditions.com

TLS Launches Modern Digital Archive

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The Times Literary Supplement has launched its digital modern archive, dating back to 2012, and comprising over 300 issues.

Originally published as a supplement to The Times, in 1902, The Times Literary Supplement (or TLS) became a publication in its own right in 1914, and since then has evolved to become the world’s leading literary journal, featuring reviews and features from a whole host of distinguished writers, poets and scholars. Not only does the publication offer comprehensive coverage of important new releases, it also serves as a unique recording of literary culture across the generations.

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The Times Literary Supplement is published weekly, which means that subscribers to the digital edition not only have access to a wealth of archival content, but will continue to receive issues once a week, which they can read on their phone, tablet or desktop device. The Exact Editions platform features an impressive and advanced search tool, so users can dig out and peruse articles by their favourite writers and contributors. Other features, such as sharing and citation tools, are useful for academic students, who want to reference the TLS in their essays.

The Times Literary Supplement is filled with content by authors and scholars alike, featuring names such as Italo Calvino, Gore Vidal and Seamus Heaney. The publication also provides an immense selection of detailed book reviews, to guide readers through a sometimes murky literary landscape. It is a publication that will continue to attract readers, of all generations, and to appeal to literary minds.

To buy a digital subscription to The Times Literary Supplement, which includes access to the modern archive, please visit our shop page.

If you are an institution, and would like to trial a subscription, please click here.

 

 

Jewish Quarterly Re-Launches with Complete Digital Archive

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Jewish Quarterly has re-launched its digital edition, along with the complete archive, dating all the way back to 1953.

The digital archive includes more than 200 issues, accessible across web, iOS and Android platforms.

For 65 years, Jewish Quarterly has been renowned for its fine writing, quick wit and rigorous thinking. It is a journal of essays, reviews and opinion pieces, which provides a vibrant Jewish perspective on contemporary ideas and culture, as well as perpetuating the best of the Jewish intellectual tradition.
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Jewish Quarterly continues to be the proudly independent voice of British Jewry. Users can now access over 60 years of articles, which embrace the richness of Jewish life, culture, and controversy.

Subscribe to the digital edition of Jewish Quarterly, which includes free access to the digital archive, today!

 

How to Present Digital Magazines

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Part of the joy of reading magazines, as opposed to books and journals, are the inventive cover designs and enthralling double spread images contained within the pages. The physical appeal of magazines, combined with engaging topical content, is perhaps why many readers and institutions are so proud of their large and growing collections of archived issues. But what about those collections which are missing a few issues? Or those archives which have outlived several generations of readers? It can be a laborious process hunting down a print copy of a magazine issue which hasn’t been printed for 30 years.

Luckily for these readers, the aesthetics of the print version can naturally move on to the digital platform, particularly with the technological development of better screens which now elucidate every minuscule detail of the original. Not only that, but archives can now be preserved ad finitum with no risk of decay or misplacement. This means that a wide audience of readers can experience these archives in their entirety, whereas in the past those old issues may have been confined to dust-gathering shelves in library vaults. Because of digital preservation, these archived issues can be given a new lease of life, finding new readers many decades after they were first published. In an academic sense, the availability of archives opens up new windows of opportunity for researchers by facilitating quick, easy and reliable access to previously rare resources.

A key question for digital providers must be — how do we present these resources to the world? One neat approach is to use a Stacking Interface to organise the archive by decade and year. This system encourages the reader to observe the development of the cover design (an essential feature of any successful magazine) through the years. The Stacking Technology also offers users an elegant and intuitive interface for browsing through older issues, especially when combined with an intelligent search feature. For example, a reader may wish to search Geographical for coverage of deforestation in Brazil, but only in 1994, and the Stacking Technology will automatically narrow the search results. This technology transcends devices and is available on Web, iOS and Android platforms. The power this offers to academics goes without saying; fast, efficient research in a friendly format.

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Geographical Archive — Stacking Technology

What does this mean for digital magazine providers? As more and more magazines recognise the value and importance of their archive, it is likely there will be continual drive towards digitisation. Print publishers will be searching for the best way to present their backfile to the world. The Stacking Interface has already found many supporters in both publishing and academic circles as it offers a dynamic combination of utility and style. Stacks are a great way of organising deep and informative archives, and because of the periodical nature of magazines they will only continue to become more impressive.

Exact Editions Launches Two New Titles

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Exact Editions are pleased to announce the launch of two new titles in it’s shop: Fence Magazine and Foam Magazine.

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Fence Magazine is launching a state-of-the-art digital archive which dates back to the title’s very first issue. First conceived by Rebecca Wolff in 1998, each biannual issue of Fence pulls together an eclectic selection of poetry, fiction, art and criticism, seeking to shed light on literature that goes against the mainstream.

Foam Magazine is an international photography magazine published three times a year around a specific theme. The magazine serves as a platform for all kinds of photography: from documentary to fashion and contemporary to historic.

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Foam Magazine has been awarded several prizes for both its high-grade graphic design and the quality of its content. Most recently, Foam Magazine was awarded Photography Magazine of the Year at the Lucie Awards 2017.