SCOPE is administered by the Follett Implementation
Group on Information Technology (FIGIT) and funded by
the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC).
SCOPE is an on-demand publishing project in
the Electronic Libraries Programme (eLib).

SCOPE Annual Report

4. Future Developments

Go to the SCOPE Annual Report Table of Contents

4.1 Objectives

The main objectives for project year 2 are given below. Although no change in overall direction is proposed, uncertainties arise as a result of progress so far in negotiating copyright contracts with publishers. We recognise the need for flexibility and comments are given on possible alternative approaches.

To continue negotiations with publishers towards model contracts - to agree terms with publishers on which we may use their copyright material in the electronic resource bank. Where publishers are not yet prepared to sign the SCOPE model contract it may be necessary to agree terms on a less formal basis so that we may progress towards network transmission and on-line delivery. Our aim is to continue a reading list- based approach and to use best endeavours to obtain full clearance at an appropriate rate for every item on each reading list. If this proves not to be feasible, we shall offer academics the opportunity to select materials from a list of core publishers with whom we have agreed terms.
to broaden the range of subjects and to include an area such as engineering which would be more technically challenging on account of the graphical content
- - we have received many approaches from academics in a wide variety of disciplines. Although sociology remains the priority area for development of an in-depth resource bank, progress will depend on rate of progress in copyright negotiations and royalty costs. Our aim, therefore, is to diversify and to produce material in any subject area where costs are reasonable and where work can be fitted into our schedule.
to extend the project into at least four institutions
- - this will be easier as a result of diversifying into a wider range of subjects and selecting reading lists where only modest subsidies are required to cover royalty payments.
to include among SCOPE resources text produced by member institutions and to investigate the willingness of institutions to share such materials
- - we have already attracted three substantial sets of material, most of which, for different reasons, is unlikely to be commercially published. We will require of an on-line delivery system the capacity to restrict use of texts to one institution as certain items may not be licensed for use throughout the consortium.
to offer customised publishing at local sites
- - we now believe that it will be easier and less costly for institutions to opt for central production. Institutions may wish to produce a few additional copies urgently and we aim to make this possible.
to select/develop a suitable system for managing copyright, and delivering digitized material on-line
- - a system will be developed to calculate royalties due to copyright holders and to deliver materials to authorized users at consortium member institutions. Security features to satisfy copyright holders will include encryption and watermarking. The system will be developed using hardware purchased in year 1. Filemaker Pro 3 and CGI scripts or applications will be used to deliver documents and generate management data. It will accommodate a variety of payment mechanisms including pay-per-copy, site licence and combined site licence/pay-per-copy arrangements.
to pilot an on-line delivery system prior to full implementation in year 3
to review database maintenance procedures, and routines for weeding and updating the resource bank
to evaluate the various stages of the project in line with our evaluation plan and to pay particular attention to:
- - demand for printed packs vis-à-vis on-line delivery
- - all aspects of on-line delivery
- - in years 2 and 3 to carry out a cost–benefit analysis to determine whether libraries and academic departments could better support teaching and learning by subsidising SCOPE resources as compared to paying for traditional services
- - To date the cost of producing SCOPE resources has been higher than was initially anticipated. Costs may be reduced by negotiating more favourable terms with publishers and by receiving copyright material in digital format. The need to proofread all material digitized by the production staff adds very significantly to the time required and therefore the cost for producing each text. Unless publishers can supply text in digital format, costs are likely to remain unacceptably high. This fact is widely recognised by eLib and by publishers themselves and initial steps are underway for discussions which, ultimately, will generate standards that facilitate this type of arrangement. Nevertheless, at current levels, SCOPE resources may prove to be cost effective when compared with traditional services; a cost–benefit analysis would allow comparison. The impact of the SCOPE project on any one institution will be very small so we are considering a bid for eLib funds to support an evaluator for all the on-demand/electronic reserve projects as we believe that external evaluation of the impact of the programme area as a whole would have real significance.
to continue to be active in promoting SCOPE and in disseminating information on project progress to all stakeholders

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4.2 Future scenario for SCOPE resources beyond the project timeframe.

Even when our on-line delivery system is fully implemented, we expect course pack production to continue. In part, choice of format will depend on the level of access to networked computers in member institutions. Other factors will be subject, level of class, and amount of material for compulsory reading and policy on student purchase of texts.

SCOPE resources are unlikely to be fully commercially viable beyond the project end without reference to the added value for academic staff, students and libraries when compared with traditional services.

Beyond the project timeframe it may be feasible for SCOPE to operate as a special unit with HE funding or for a commercial venture to take over part or all of the work of the project. Publishers may not be prepared to offer such a unit favourable terms on materials to be sold for profit.