Dear Colleagues:

 

In the past we have had schools/departments transfer money on an annual basis to the library’s budget to purchase desired databases or other subscriptions.  The issue is that prices rise exponentially while the contribution remains stagnant or rises only slightly, leading to unproductive discussions between the library and the departments.  

 

We are considering requiring that departments keep their funds in their budgets and shoulder the cost increases internally.  We are willing to provide assistance in negotiating pricing and licensing and in providing off-campus access.  We also want to make it clear that we do not want to cooperate in providing databases where off-campus access is not available or is limited to password access only. 

 

We have had success in this kind of arrangement with a few databases purchased by our Business School, though these few are not particularly well-used.

 

Are there any libraries on the Listserv that do anything similar and would you be willing to share your protocols for such arrangements?   What are the pros and cons of such an arrangement?   

 

Thanks so much for any comments you might have.

 

Marcella Lesher

Professor/Periodicals Librarian

Blume Library

St. Mary’s University

One Camino Santa Maria

San Antonio, TX  78228

 

Phone:  210-431-2299 ext. 1322