Publishers versus libraries: Some hidden dimensions in the current debate

The current journal publication system has four immediate participants: researcher-writers, publishers, libraries, and readers. In response to technological developments which facilitate copying, publishers have increased their demands for additional revenue from libraries. The logic of the publishes´ arguments threatens the very existence of institutions which purchase items with the intention of providing them to more than one reader. Society at large does have some interest in the spread of scientific principles and technological information, and the current thrust of the publishers broadens the concept of the ownership of ideas, since publishers entitled to a new payment for each reader may have the right to price large segments (e.g. students, docturs caring for the inteligent, etc.) of an interested public out of the market. In addition, increased restriction on the flow of scientific and technical information may have a significant impact on the advance of science and technology itself.