1. The library objective for electronic resources is to provide access to multiple information resources from a single work station. The location of the resources should be transparent to the user to the extent possible.

2. Work stations dedicated to a single database may be provided to ensure essential and continuous access to specific information resources or resource categories. One example: LUIS.

3. Access from work stations throughout the University Community and beyond should be considered a routine library service and provided to the extent that financial and technological resources permit.

4. Access to electronic library services will normally be free of charge to the user. However, the Libraries reserve the right to subcontract or recover costs through fees if this is necessary to provide the service. It is recognized that free access to Federal and Florida information is statutorially required.

5. Partnerships will be formed to enhance access to electronic information whenever this is desirable and cost beneficial.

6. For a given information source, highest priority will generally be given to access from within the libraries; secondarily, from other locations on FIU campuses; and third, from locations remote from campuses. It is recognized that special resources and situations may provide reason for exception to this.

7. User license agreements imposed by some electronic resource Vendors may limit access for some databases to current FIU Students, faculty, and staff.

1. The libraries will normally pay the incremental cost of obtaining equipment that exceeds current operational requirements as a hedge against further technical progress. The purpose of this is to ensure the ability to make available new and more flexible information resources without having to re-equip.

2. Normally, equipment will be purchased that has good locally-available maintenance support. This will be an important consideration in brand selection.

3. Rather than establish hardware standards, for each acquisition the requirements will be weighed against the state of the art and incremental functionality available for purchase.

4. Normally, the cost of printing out searches will be borne by the user. For those unable to bear the cost of extensive printing out, the ability to download to disc free of charge will be provided as PC's become the normal mode of database access.