The document discusses factors that librarians consider when deciding whether to purchase or cancel journal subscriptions, noting that faculty input and journal usage are very important influences on these decisions. Budget constraints often require librarians to prioritize cutting smaller publishers first or journals that are deemed less important based on surveys of faculty. Librarians also take into account best practices for electronic journals, such as authentication methods, usage statistics, and opportunities for customization.
The document discusses factors that librarians consider when deciding whether to purchase or cancel journal subscriptions, noting that faculty input and journal usage are very important influences on these decisions. Budget constraints often require librarians to prioritize cutting smaller publishers first or journals that are deemed less important based on surveys of faculty. Librarians also take into account best practices for electronic journals, such as authentication methods, usage statistics, and opportunities for customization.
The document discusses factors that librarians consider when deciding whether to purchase or cancel journal subscriptions, noting that faculty input and journal usage are very important influences on these decisions. Budget constraints often require librarians to prioritize cutting smaller publishers first or journals that are deemed less important based on surveys of faculty. Librarians also take into account best practices for electronic journals, such as authentication methods, usage statistics, and opportunities for customization.
The document discusses factors that librarians consider when deciding whether to purchase or cancel journal subscriptions, noting that faculty input and journal usage are very important influences on these decisions. Budget constraints often require librarians to prioritize cutting smaller publishers first or journals that are deemed less important based on surveys of faculty. Librarians also take into account best practices for electronic journals, such as authentication methods, usage statistics, and opportunities for customization.
to Purchase or Cancel Your Journal Moderator: item selected as “very important” (by 257 list was the access authentication provi- Richard T Kobel of 324 question respondents). Only 22 sion, a librarian preference that journal American Institute of Physics respondents identified impact factor as Web sites recognize subscribers through Publishing Services “very important”, although 123 said it was their institution’s Internet protocol address Melville, New York “important”. rather than individual user names. Other Because of budget limitations, Debra items are cover-to-cover digitization of Presenters: Bailey, of Rice University, and her staff journal content, including advertising; Mel DeSart surveyed faculty to determine the most monthly use statistics compliant with the University of Washington Engineering important journals to keep. With faculty COUNTER (Counting Online Usage of Library input, the library staff created three lists Networked Electronic Resources) Code Seattle, Washington of journals: “protected”, “probationary”, of Practice requirements; and the oppor- and “death row”. All “death row” and most tunity for institutional subscribers to label Debra Bailey “probationary” items were cut. (“cobrand”) journal Web sites with their Rice University Fondren Library When the budget cannot be stretched names to show that they are paying for Houston, Texas farther and some titles must go, librarians subscriber access. sometimes are locked into long contracts Bailey said that some small items can Audrey Powers with bigger publishing companies and are also influence collection decisions, such University of South Florida forced to cut smaller titles first. as the level of customer service provided Tampa, Florida Concerning free content on publishers’ by publishers. For example, she has been Web sites or open-access archives, DeSart waiting 5 months to buy two mathemat- Reporter: said that the ALPSP survey suggests librar- ics journals; if she keeps being put off, she Victoria White ians would cancel titles only if a very large will stop asking, and the publisher will lose Psychosomatic Medicine percentage of journal content is available revenue. Gainesville, Florida free immediately. Bailey said that discounts can also per- Audrey Powers, of the University of suade her. Once when she was seeking a Journal prices are rising, the number of South Florida, in Tampa, created a method discount, a sales representative told her to titles is growing, and library budgets are for librarians to evaluate electronic resourc- check with someone else in the company’s tightening. In this session, a panel of librar- es. Few libraries have such a system, and London office. Instead, Bailey purchased ians outlined some factors that influence with budget cuts, rising costs, and duplica- only online access when she also had been libraries’ subscription decisions. tion of databases, it is of growing impor- interested in print. “If the salesperson had In decisions to keep or discard jour- tance. Powers’ online survey system enables even given me a 5% discount”, Bailey said, nals, they agreed, faculty opinions hold collection decisions to be made as a result “I would have said ‘Fantastic!’” enormous sway. Mel DeSart, head of the of a collaborative process with objective University of Washington Engineering results, evaluating cost, use, peer compari- References Library in Seattle, said that he doesn’t sons, content, unique content, ease of use, 1. Ware M. ALPSP survey of librarians on factors in buy journals that no one asks for. Other instructional quality, overall quality, and journal cancellation. 2006. www.alpsp.org/publica- librarians are also influential. DeSart need. This customizable evaluation tool tions/libraryreport-summary.pdf. Accessed 14 June reviewed the results of a recent survey of enables faculty and students to participate 2006. 2 librarians conducted by the Association in the process when appropriate. 2. Powers A. To buy or not to buy? evaluating databases of Learned and Professional Society DeSart said that librarians are beginning and making sound purchase decisions. The Charleston Publishers (ALPSP)1 to identify how and to consider a variety of best practices for Advisor 2006;7(4). www.charlestonco.com/features.cf why librarians cancel journals. It indicated purchasing electronic journals. Through m?id=204&type=fr. Accessed 14 June 2006. that final decisions were typically made by the Engineering Libraries Division of 3. The Punch List of Best Practices for Electronic librarians only after consulting with fac- the American Society for Engineering Resources. eld.lib.ucdavis.edu/punchlist/Punchlist ulty. Price and use were cited as important Education, he helped to develop a “punch Revision2005.pdf . Accessed 14 June 2006. factors in journal cancellation, but faculty list” of practices that publishers should no longer requiring a journal was the top strive to meet.3 One “deal breaker” on the
Science Editor • January – February 2007 • Vol 30 • No 1 • 15
Instant Download (Ebook) Demystifying Scholarly Metrics: A Practical Guide by Marc W Vinyard, Jaimie Beth Colvin ISBN 9781440875939, 9781440875946, 1440875936, 1440875944 PDF All Chapters