 |
NBER: Electronic or Print WPs for the NBER
Subject: Electronic or Print WPs for the NBER
From: Rob Shannon (rshannon@nber.org)
Date: Tue Sep 06 2005 - 13:30:03 EDT
>
>To: Members of the NBER Productivity Program
>From: Ernst R. Berndt, Director
>Re: Electronic or Print Working Papers for the NBER?
>
>Marty Feldstein is looking for some feedback on whether the NBER should
>discontinue producing the small two-sided yellow working papers in hard
>copy form, and instead revert to electronic pdfs. See his email to the
>various NBER program directors below.
>
>I am conflicted about this, but recognize that younger researchers are
>practicing their craft in ways that differ from us older folks. Marty
>suggested I check with the productivity group members -- both young and
>older -- and get your reactions. Please forward them on to me, and I'll
>put them together for Marty (and for you, if you want to see them).
>
>Thanks
>
>One other note. Put December 2nd on your calendar for the Winter
>Productivity Program meeting.
>
>Ernie
>
>> - from Martin Feldstein
>>I am writing to you as a program director to get your advice about the
>>NBER Working Paper series. As you know, many organizations that issue
>>working papers have decided in recent years to stop issuing hard copy and
>>to send the papers out electronically. I am thinking about whether we
>>should follow them.
>>
>>What do you think? Should we go to electronic only?
>>
>>Here are some facts that you might consider.
>>
>>We now distribute about 1000 copes of each of the working papers. There
>>are about 1000 papers a year now.
>>
>>We have about 2.5 million paper downloads per year.
>>
>>There is a substantial cost saving in shifting to electronic only
>>distribution.
>>
>>There is a convenience to readers in having the smaller two-sided
>>papers. It is also a "service" to authors in drawing attention to their
>>work, something particularly important to younger researchers.
>>
>>Please send me an email with your thought about this
>>
>>Thanks
|
