This paper examines what readers value in printed and electronic journals based on the experience of the SuperJournal Project. Data were collected at the start of the project on how academic readers use printed journals and the library, their views on the advantages and disadvantages of print as a medium, and their expectations for electronic journals. At the end of the project, they were asked what they valued in the electronic journals delivered by SuperJournal and what they would most value in future services. Core requirements for electronic journal services are a wide range of journals, timeliness, fast access and ease of use. The key benefits from the user's point of view are convenience, saving time and efficiency.

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Christine Baldwin has degrees in Chemistry and Life Science and worked initially in the USA as Chemistry librarian at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1978 she moved to the UK and became Chemistry Editor at Pergamon Press. In 1986 she moved into electronic publishing and worked for Compact Solution, one of the first CD-ROM publishing companies. She moved to Elsevier Science in 1990, working in electronic publishing, new system design, and strategic planning. In 1995 she set up ID&M and became an independent information consultant. Her work focuses on the information needs of academic researchers, and how these can be met by publishers and librarians with electronic products and information systems. She was Project Manager of the Super Journal Project (1996-1998), a research project to identify success factors for electronic journals. Ms Baldwin may be contacted

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