Supply Models What are publishers offering and how can libraries access electronic journals and scholarly databases?

Objectives To examine how libraries can access and be supplied with scholarly databases and e-journals To consider the problems associated with the supply of e-resources To look at potential areas of future development

Many groups supply electronic resources including: Aggregatorse.g. OCLCs Electronic Collections Online (ECO), Ingenta Journals, EBSCO Online Publisherse.g. Elsevier, MCB University Press Learned Societiese.g. Institute of Physics, Association of Computing Machinery (ACM)

And there are many types of supply model…

Supply models Single user Multiple users Single site Multiple site Country wide Usually for a defined period (1-3 years)

Supply models for databases may be Subscription based: –Site license –Restricted number of seats Negotiated at institutional level Negotiated at national, regional or sector level through governmental, educational or sector organisations or consortia

Supply models for e-journals may be Single user: access only available to individuals with a personal subscription Free, or with a small surcharge, to libraries with the print version Publisher provides all their e-journals as a package at a cost based on level of print subscriptions Supplied as a package through consortia deals e.g. CURL (

Access and authentication There are two main authentication access control mechanisms: IP address Passwords Combination of the above Additionally, pay-per-view is available and growing

Advantages of IP address Seamless access: direct recognition of institutional networks by publishers and vice versa Usage statistics for the institution Greater security Preferred by publishers

Concerns Cost of e-journalscommercial interests Loss of journal back files Loss of control over the resourcetitles may suddenly disappear from a package of e-journals Libraries want to be able to cancel print journals but often the licence agreement does not allow them to. Management issues –staff time dealing with complexity of e-resources

Possible future developments Most HE libraries are committed to developing e- learning environments Library holdings of electronic journals will increase and holdings of print journals will decrease –Shelf space and staff costs are seen as one of the key areas of concern Attempts are being made to encourage alternative methods of scientific communication - e.g. e-prints, SPARC (

Future developments cont… Libraries and publishers are working together to establish pricing models based on usage Pay-per-view has potential –Especially when micro-payments become reality New roles for librarians are emerging - e.g. the Electronic Resources Co-ordinator

Summary A range of supply models are available They all have advantages and disadvantages Suppliers (most often publishers) may have different drives/priorities to libraries This whole area is developing rapidly and should be monitored Country-wide access agreements would seem to provide the best option (when available at cost effective rates)

Thank you Any questions?