Health Sciences Library 2008 Journal Cancellations

 

The WSU Libraries are facing journal cancellations again this year. The Libraries as a whole are expecting a shortfall of $325,000 in the journals budget, $109,000 for the Health Sciences Library (HSL) alone.

Obviously, HSL doesn’t have $110K that can be reasonably cut. The Libraries are investigating alternative ways of providing journal content, including increased reliance on interlibrary loans or pay-per-view article access. Let me assure you that, regardless of which journals we are forced to cut, you will continue to have access to these materials (and much more!) via Interlibrary Loan. HSL expected costs are one seventh of total expected serials costs for 2009, but our cancellation target amounts to one third of the total target, due to disproportionate price increases in the sciences and health sciences.

I have prepared a list of 94 journals for potential cancellation [below], totaling $113,743 in savings (nearly one third of our journal collection). These titles were selected based on use statistics and faculty publication trends. A spreadsheet with detailed statistical information is available. I know that many of these are important, well-used journals, and I want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to avoid cancellation. Please do take a look at the list of titles and send your feedback no later than 5pm May 2, 2008 to Linda Shippert (lshippert@wsu.edu) and Dr. Steve Hines, chair of the Health Sciences Library Advisory Committee (shines@vetmed.wsu.edu). Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Included on the list are:

Excluded from consideration were:

I encourage everyone to discuss these potential journal cancellations with students, staff, faculty, Department Heads, College Deans, and University administration. This round of cancellations has the potential to gravely affect the ability of the Health Sciences Library, and the WSU Libraries in general, to provide you with the online databases, electronic journals, and print materials which you need for your work.

A message from Jay Starratt, Dean of Libraries:

   I have discussed the need to begin planning for additional serial and other material cuts with Provost Bates and the Deans. They are aware that we eager to avoid such an action, that we hope that the library materials budget will be expanded, but that prudence dictates that we begin such contingency planning. I have explained to them that although alternative means of delivery and service are exciting, useful undertakings, especially considering the realities all libraries face, there is no question that ownership is the best access.
   Please begin to discuss our intentions with the departments you support. Let them know we are exploring all methods available to us to exploit the University’s investment in The Libraries but that we anticipate another increase in the cost of serials and a cut of at least $325,000.
   Please let me know if you have questions. Again, I will be glad to meet with anyone who wishes to talk with me about these matters.

Jay Starratt
Dean of Libraries
Washington State University
(509) 335-4558

HSL Journals Under Consideration for Potential Cancellation

 

Journals that we would cancel in print but still have electronically

Journals that would be truly cancelled (No new Print or Electronic access after 2008)