A new revolution of journal access has been introduced to our information highway. This material is exclusively published in electronic format to provide the latest and greatest in delivery of scientific information. The use of print journals is no longer provided as a single avenue of information delivery. After many years of debate, e-journals are inevitably a part of science related communication. These journals are now highly sought within library information systems and indexed by major services. According to Jones and Cook (2000), An e-journal is a digital periodical that published on the Internet or WWW. An e-journal may not be all that different from a print journal in the fundamental editorial process. Articles are submitted by individuals in the academic community and are peer reviewed by editorial board members of the journal to be accepted or rejected. If accepted, they are subsequently published. It is the digital medium that is different. These professionals provide a definition of e-access in relation to current literature. Reference a 1999 article by Sparks who says “Some consider any communication via electronic medium to be electronic publishing - - but electronic publishing and e-journals are not synonymous”. Many professionals challenge e-journal access and question future availability of this type of information delivery. The questions remain as this new world evolves.

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E-journals first appeared on the communication scene and fell on non-receptive avenues not only with information professionals, but their users as well. The question evolved as to its academic “respect”. The advantages of speed, search ability, and simulation made this issue reveal itself to be innovative. There were also many who questioned the challenged of an archival process for this new form of reference. Some professional credit the main purpose of e-access to be an effort of which reduces the rising financial mark-up being placed on scientific journals. Some of these journals were initially introduced with a print copy counterpart; however, many have now become transformed into e-only access. Quinn (1999) says “the term ‘electronic journal’ refers to exclusively electronic publications, that is, those Internet-based journals with no print counterpart”. The “politically correct” response as to what is to be considered the medium is still on the table for discussion.

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Bopp, Richard E. and Linda C. Smith (2000). Reference and Information Services: An Introduction

Evans, Edward G and Margaret R. Zarnosky (1999). Developing Library and Information Center Collections: Fourth Edition

Jones, S.L. and Cook, C.B. (2000). Electronic Journals: are they a paradigm shift? Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. 5(1). http://www.nursingworld.org/ojin/topic11/tpc11_1.htm

Quinn, B. (1999). Mainstreaming electronic journals through improved indexing: prospects for social sciences. Serials Review 25(2):23-34.

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