Ed. note: Because of the length of this message, it has been broken
down into two parts. Pt. 2 of the message begins with the section
on "General Questions." -- bml
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Part 1 of 2:
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Attached you will find a document that describes a new
model for pricing products derived from the Mathematical
Reviews database, along with 1994 prices.
We believe that it represents a real step forward in
articulating a cost recovery model that makes sense for a
mixed paper-electronic world, and one that maps nicely
into the future.
Like all real world systems, it is not perfect. But it is
a start. It represents a significant departure from
existing practice. It balances competing interests and
existing contractual obligations with the desire to make
AMS products more accessible to mathematicians and the
organizations that support them. As 1994 unfolds, we will
be analyzing the results and using them to set 1995
prices.
This message has been submitted to various academic
discussion forums so that serials librarians and others
with a stake in scholarly publishing will see it.
Alternatively, it is posted on the e-MATH GOPHER
(e-math.ams.org) under the General Information selection
(#8). For those with telnet but no GOPHER client, the
e-MATH login facility (telnet e-math.ams.org, login:
e-math, Password: e-math, and selection #12) provides
access.
I am happy to get reactions and suggestions for
future consideration. Send them to:
dlr@math.ams.org
Thank you in advance for your consideration and
cooperation.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
1994
Mathematical Reviews Data Access Plan
For 1994, The American Mathematical Society is changing the
subscription pricing basis for Mathematical Reviews and the associated
electronic versions, MathSci Disc and the MathSci tapes. This
entirely new way of pricing these products recognizes
o that these products all provide access to the same data: the
bibliographic data and associated reviews that comprise the
Mathematical Reviews database (MRDB);
o that the cost of developing and maintaining the MRDB is
a very substantial part of the total cost associated with
the production of MR and MathSci products;
o the goal of providing ready access to MR and MathSci products
for each individual mathematician.
The foundation of the new pricing structure is a fee ("Data Access Fee")
for access to the information in the MRDB. The subscriber, typically an
institutional site, having paid the fee may then subscribe to MR, MathSci
Disc and MathSci tapes at rates ("Product Delivery Fees") designed to
recover those costs associated with the delivery of the individual
products and to reflect the added value of the particular format.
Moreover, subunits such as individual departments and individuals
associated with a site that has paid the Data Access Fee may also
subscribe to the products. Thus the subscriber (the site and associated
subunits and individuals) to multiple copies and/or multiple formats of
the data in the MRDB contributes to the MRDB costs just once. As a
consequence, it is now much more feasible to provide the mathematical
community at a university campus with multiple points of access to MR
data. For example, the total cost to a university campus at which the
central library, the mathematics, statistics and engineering departments
subscribe to MR and there are two copies of the current MathSci Disc is
$8,074 ($7,175 for an Institutional Member); for 1993 the cost would have
been $21,514 ($17,842 for an Institutional Member). The cost to sites
that wish to load the MathSci tapes locally has also been substantially
reduced; such loads enable individuals at the site to access MR
electronically from their desks.
The attached document gives full details of the new pricing structure
and includes further specific information given in the form of answers
to typical questions the subscriber may have. The AMS recognizes that
subscribers may have queries and concerns about the new pricing that
are not addressed here and welcomes further questions and comments.
######################################################################
Subscription renewal pro formas for the 1994 Data Access Fee
and 1994 MR will be sent in early November. (Fees for
MathSci Disc are billed separately through SilverPlatter.)
######################################################################
1994 Pricing for Products Derived From the
MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS
Database
For 1994, the AMS is changing the subscription pricing basis
for Mathematical Reviews products. The new model separates the
the cost of developing and maintaining the Mathematical Reviews
bibliographic database from which all products are derived,
from the cost of individual product deliveries. Sites that
support mathematicians will contribute to the development and
maintenance of the database JUST ONCE, by paying a Data Access
Fee. Sites and individuals associated with those sites then can
purchase Mathematical Reviews products, in a variety of
formats, by paying a Product Delivery Fee.
The 1994 price list and answers to frequently asked questions
follow:
Mathematical Reviews and MathSci Product
Pricing Schedule
Payment 1994
Schedule Price
DATA ACCESS FEE (for Sites)
List Price Annual $4,494
Institutional/Corporate Member Annual $3,595
PRODUCT DELIVERY FEE (for Sites and Associated Individuals)
Mathematical Reviews
(site and individual) Annual $315
MathSci Tapes
Current file (current year updates) Annual $2,777
Backfile (1940-1993) One Time $10,500
[The backfile is available only to sites that subscribe
to the current disc.]
[The backfile may be purchased over a 3 year period.]
MathSci Disc (site)
Current file (1988-Present) Annual $1,800
Backfile (1980-87) One Time $ 945
Backfile (1940-79) One Time $1,995
[The backfile is available only to sites that subscribe
to the current disc.]
MathSci Disc network option
Current file (1988-Present) Annual $2,700
Backfile (1980-87) One Time $1,420
Backfile (1940-79) One Time $2,990
[The backfile is available only to sites that subscribe
to the current disc.]
MathSci Disc (individual and second copies)
Current file (1988-Present) Annual $520
Backfile - 2 Discs (1940-79; 1980-87) One Time $520/disc
[Available only to individuals at sites that subscribe to
the corresponding current or backfile MathSci Disc.]
SPECIAL OFFER
The current file and backfile MathSci Discs will be
offered to qualified individuals who place orders between
January 1, 1994 and March 31, 1994 at a price of $315 for
the current file and $315 for each of the backfile discs.
<cont'd in pt.2 >
