Many libraries around the globe need to manage access to a variety of internal and external online resources and services, such as proprietary journals and databases, the organization's own resources and data. User permissions information contained in licensing agreements is sometimes unclear and complicated, and so it needs to be managed carefully in order to ensure that users are given access to everything they are entitled to. In addition, users now expect to be able to access online resources irrespective of time and the users’ physical location. This chapter looks at the different kinds of online information that need to be protected, the reasons why, and the importance of effective library management of licensing information.

Managing access to electronic collections

Many libraries around the world need to manage an ever-increasing number of electronic resources. Library collections are no longer confined to the physical boundaries of the library and are seeing rapid growth thanks to the incredible selection of quality electronic resources that are now available. While it is impossible for any library to own everything that its users want, electronic resources have opened up opportunities for providing access to a resource while not actually owning it (Moyo, 2002, 49).

Managing access to electronic collections in the ‘global electronic information market’ (Steele, in Moyo, 2002, 48) faces a number of serious challenges. Back in 1998, Steele suggested that this new information market would have the following features:

• • ubiquitous desktop access

• • tailored and flexible gateways to information

• • ease of access to information with no location barrier

• • interchangeability, interoperability and compatibility