ink1.htm">groundbreaking digital archiving agreement [Elsevier Science site] on August 20, 02002 at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) annual conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

The most unusual aspect of this agreement is found near the end of the press release summary:

Finally, should Elsevier or a successor interest cease to make these journals available on a commercial basis, as an official archive the KB could open access to all on a remote basis (in addition to walk-in). [Emphasis added by David Mattison]

I believe this is an unprecedented action and one for which Elsevier Science is to be commended and the Koninklijke Bibliotheek applauded for persevering and setting an example for other libraries and archives.