The Pricing Implications of Site and Consortia Licensing into the Next Millennium

Abstract

Several pricing models exist for providing access to electronic journals. Models may be based on the composition of a package of resources, the size of the purchasing institution, or other factors. Libraries combining to form consortia may realize pricing benefits. In this workshop these factors were considered from the perspectives of the access provider, the publisher, and the consortium, with feedback from librarians.

Some economic aspects of the scholarly journal system

“…Frazier (2001, online) says that Big Deal licenses “bundle the strongest with the weakest titles, the essential with the non‐essential” and “the library cannot continue to receive the titles it most needs unless it continues to subscribe to the full package.” Friend (2002) points out that different forms of purchasing deals are suitable for different libraries. Publishers benefit from licenses by expanding readings and citations to their journals, bringing greater and faster market penetration, and reducing promotional costs (Grimshaw, 2000; Inger, Kusma, & Allen, 2000).…”

“…Friend (2002) points out that different forms of purchasing deals are suitable for different libraries. Publishers benefit from licenses by expanding readings and citations to their journals, bringing greater and faster market penetration, and reducing promotional costs (Grimshaw, 2000;Inger, Kusma, & Allen, 2000). Cox and Cox (2008) provide information about publisher and consortia arrangements.…”