Journal Cancellation Plans

This summer the Library faculty will be preparing to cancel from $100,000-$150,000 worth of journal subscriptions in 2001 due to the rapidly rising cost of journal subscriptions and the decrease in the amount of College Savings Bond money for the Library. In the review of the journal collection we will be looking principally at the amount of use and the cost per use of each title. In cases where the cost is over $100 per use, we have decided that it makes more sense for us to buy individual articles for our patrons. The Library has transferred a third of its book budget to fund the purchase of such articles on a trial basis.

We are also evaluating the journals that have been requested through Interlibrary Loan to determine which titles would be more economically provided by an electronic or print subscription. Adding these new titles will increase the number of current subscriptions that will need to be cancelled. Electronic access to journal titles is one of the Library's goals. What we are finding currently is that most journals are not offered electronically without the print subscription. When the journal is available electronically without the print, it is almost always priced higher than the print subscription. We will continue to monitor the availability of electronic access for journals needed by our faculty and students.

We will be asking for your feedback while making decisions concerning cancellations. Lists of potential journal cancellations will be made available through the Library's web page and through the Library Advisory Committee, which represents the students and each of the colleges.

If you have questions, please contact Mary Hawks, Collection Management Librarian, at HawksMaryS@exchange.uams.edu or 686-6749 or Mary Ryan, Library Director, at 686-6730 or RyanMaryL@exchange.uams.edu.