Developing a methodology for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of journal packages
ER&L Conference Committee November 8th, 2009
Since 1990’s many academic libraries signed multi-year contracts to subscribe to electronic journal packages from large publishers. The process helped the transition from print to electronic and also added value and convenience by placing more content on the desktop of a faculty or student than they previously had from the specific publishers involved. With recent collection budget cuts, many academic libraries are having second thoughts about journal package arrangements, which force them to spend too much money on journals they don’t need and which make it difficult to pay for journals from smaller publishers and scholarly monographs. The purpose of this presentation is to share our experience in developing a methodology for evaluating the cost effectiveness of journal packages. The presentation addresses a number of important issues and provides best practices that should be followed during a review. Analyzing usage statistics data, costs per subscribed and unsubscribed titles, use of subscribed and unsubscribed titles will be discussed. Practical guidance in demonstrating the value, or lack of value, of a deal will be provided.
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