Drawing the line on server space?

[Martin Cohen]

We maintain our own Web server (http://gaelnet.stmarys-ca.edu). As the 
first Web server at the College, our statement of purpose cast our 
mission broadly, but with emphasis on a) facilitating access to 
Web services beyond those local to the College and b) information about 
the Library. Other College info was secondary, although we did include 
directories, athletic schedules, etc. A new server is being developed now 
(to be run by Advancement and supported by computing and 
telecommunications services) and these functions will be included on it.
 
This year we have begun providing info about academics at the College - 
profiles of faculty, and course syllabi which may also include electronic 
"Reserve" readings, sample student essays, problem sets, and active links 
to Web sites selected by the instructor.

We are only beginning to explore these functions. However, given that 
they have been services provided by the Library in the past (via the 
Reserve Room), it seems to me highly appropriate to include them in a 
library Web service. There is a potential cost for disk space, as there 
has been for shelf and counter space in the physical Reserve Room. There 
is also a significant potential cost for staff to maintain the service. 
We have been supporting these costs in the past. Translation of the costs 
and the service to the new medium seems, if not inevitable, quite logical.

Martin J. Cohen                                 mcohen at stmarys-ca.edu
Systems and Media Librarian                     voice: (510) 631-4229
Saint Mary's College of California              fax:   (510) 376-6097
Moraga, CA 94575                                ars longa vita brevis