This paper looks at the issue of how scholarly publishing in electronic forums affects the academic tenure process. Currently, scholarly publication as it relates to the merit and promotion process is generally defined as publication in refereed journals or as publication of scholarly books. This definition, implying a fixed language-based text and an identifiable author or multiple authors, is beginning to be questioned in theory and in practice. Implications for faculty members going through the tenure process, and thus for academic libraries and for librarians, who work to be integral players in the university community, will depend to what extent contemporary theoretical positions are put into practice, whether as radical change or as assimilated into current practices of the advancement and promotion process. Aspects to consider include: (1) the producers, publishers, and consumers of literature on the world wide web; (2) the perceptions of the stability and quality of electronic publications by those who hold academic power; (3) whether or not electronic publications are refereed; (4) different attitudes toward technology within and between academic disciplines; (5) if publications are available in both paper and electronic forms, and if the contents differ between forms; and (6) the ease of access, including access to appropriate computer technology and the ability to retrieve works via indexes and other finding aids. (Contains 41 references.) (Author/SWC)