Collaboration and Organization for Successful Serials Cancellation

Abstract

Serials cancellations are dreaded equally by librarians and faculty. Previously, faculty reviewed title lists, and librarians canceled what they recommended. Today's cancellation process is more complex; there has to be a context and a timetable. Reports must include at least data about historical pricing and titles associated with e-packages that are not cancellable. Although libraries' workflows differ, there are basic steps necessary to carry out a successful cancellation process. This joint presentation demonstrated how integrated planning and the use of serials management tools are used to organize complex information into useable data. It takes early and collaborative planning between Collection Development, teaching faculty, and Serials Technical Services to make a dreaded process less painful and more effective. This tactics session was delivered in parts

Literature of Acquisitions in Review, 2008–9

“…61 Previous cancellation projects involved faculty reviewing lists and librarians cancelling what the faculty recommended, but the authors found that cancellation projects have become more complex. Big Deals have complicated the decision-making process.…”

Rolling Out a Database Review: Initiating a Comprehensive Database Review at the University of Maryland Libraries

“…The CDC meets monthly, and its members advise the Collection Development department about issues of collections policy and process and communicate collection development issues to the constituents they represent. Serial reviews are well-documented in the literature (Enoch and Harker, 2015;Grooms, 2011;Nixon, 2010;and Clement et al, 2008); however, there is little in the literature regarding database reviews beyond the experiences documented by Shapiro (2012) and Alvin (2015). Given a limited time frame available for action, there was a need to implement a relatively straightforward process so that subject specialists could quickly review and decide upon database subscriptions.…”

A journal cancellation survey and resulting impact on interlibrary loan

“…A standard method for gathering faculty input is to compile lists of titles being considered for cancellation in each subject area and to send the lists to faculty in the relevant departments for input [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Other libraries have used a survey approach to solicit input from faculty and other stakeholders in a more quantitative manner [8][9][10][11].…”