E-resources Working Group
Report to the CARLI Board of Directors
January 9, 2006
Submitted by James Mouw, Chair
Spring 2006 Selection Cycle
The database interest survey has been competed. 87 member libraries responded and requested to see approximately 2,400 database prices in the upcoming Spring selection cycle. In addition, respondents identified 201 additional electronic resources in which they were interested. While many of the databases noted may not be amenable to consortial licensing, the staff will analyze the entire list and report to the committee. It was noted that 18 of the titles mentioned were already available through CARLI. Staff will specifically contact these respondents and make sure they are aware of the complete list of offerings.
Based on the survey results and FY 2006 subscriptions, pricing requests were sent to vendors before the holiday break. Meetings have been scheduled with vendors at ALA Midwinter to discuss pricing and set deadlines for the submission of pricing. Databases moving from ICCMP to CARLI, including Lexis-Nexis databases (through SOLINET and with Lexis-Nexis directly) and ABC-CLIO, have been included.
Communications are being sent to each CARLI member indicating the specific databases for which the member library will see prices in the Spring cycle. The list reflects current subscriptions and the databases indicated on the institution’s survey. Libraries will have an opportunity to modify their list and will be informed that additional prices can be requested at any time during the selection cycle.
Modifications and enhancements to the online selection system are in progress and should be completed well in advance of the Spring cycle.
Staff indicated that the process is approximately three weeks ahead of last year’s schedule and an early March opening of the selection cycle is still anticipated. This will result in one significant difference from past cycles. Not all prices will be received at the beginning of the selection period. Staff are planning to augment the selection system as prices are received and communicate actively with members to keep them aware of changes. The committee endorsed this approach, rather than delaying the beginning of the selection period.
Survey of Potential New Databases
Results of a survey of interest in the list of databases discussed by the committee at its November meeting were distributed and discussed. Staff will contact the four vendors selected by the committee to obtain further information about specified products and to discuss possible licensing negotiations. They were Encyclopaedia Britannica, Columbia University Press, Gale, and Oxford University Press.
Discussion of “No Cancellation Vendor Models”
The committee agreed to review and discuss the issues raised by vendor offers that tie enhanced electronic access and price increase caps to no cancellation policies and other restrictive conditions. The current offer from Blackwell Publishing will be used as the basis for this discussion at the February conference call. The committee’s ultimate objective is to make recommendations to the Board on policies related to vendor practices.
FY 2007 E-resources Budget
The committee discussed the process for making product acquisition recommendations in the FY 2007 budget cycle. The committee will discuss specific options at its February conference call, with the intention of making any recommendations to the Finance Committee.