ERC ST 071024Electronic Resources Committee Oct. 24, 2007 Teleconference Members attending: Anna Creech, Central Washington University Joanna Haney, Lewis & Clark College Teresa Hazen, Mt. Hood Community College Diane Grover, University of Washington Donna Packer, Western Washington University Lee Keene, Whitman College Greg Doyle, Orbis Cascade Alliance Electronic Resources Program Manager
1. Update on American Chemical Society renewal for 2008 Greg reported on the communication he’s had with our temporary ACS rep, who says that the “pricing model” for our group shows us “underpaying” by 14% and we would need to make up that difference along with typical annual increases over the next 5 years in order to catch up with the pricing model. Our former sales rep, Alan Diehlman, had told Greg that “the bottom line is that the ACS renewal costs for Orbis Cascade members is not an 8% increase, but rather closer to 5.75% increase for next year, and 5.25% for the year 2009”. In addition, Alan had said we would receive a 6% discount if we went to a single invoice model; the new rep says the discount would be only 3%. Coincidentally, Greg is meeting with several people from EBSCO tomorrow regarding a proposal they have for handling invoices from e-journal publishers. Would an offer from them solve issues individual libraries have with the idea of a single invoice? Lee asked about what the ramifications of a library or libraries dropping out of the ACS deal. How would that affect the remaining libraries? Diane asked whether the proposed changes put forth by the task force on ACS pricing had been accepted by the ER committee. Greg indicated he had not received any objections to it. Decision: Greg will try to force ACS acceptance of the terms Alan Diehlman offered us for 2008, including both a 5.75% price increase and the 6% discount for going to a single invoice model.
2. MathSciNet renewal The group discussed the options for distributing the MathSciNet renewal cost. Greg recommended using a 5% increase overall, for each subscribing library, based on their 2007 total costs. Several people agreed that the MathSciNet Fee, based on each institution’s Math Activity, is a strange and unusual component of MathSciNet pricing. Joanna suggested that we at least look at how the total cost would shake out if we ignore the Math Activity, and distribute cost on an equal share/FTE/usage model. Decision: Greg will come up with some examples of this type of price distribution. 3. Recommendations needed for replacing a member of the steering team Anna Creech has taken a position in Richmond, VA, effective Dec. 10. Greg asked for recommendations to replace her on the steering team.
Minutes prepared by: Joanna Haney, 10/24/07 approved: [this will be filled in by Chair or Alliance staff, following approval] |