Hello folks,
Sorry for cross posting but as you are
probably aware, the current situation regarding
the withdrawal of PsycLit forcing everyone to
go to PsycInfo...(surprisingly at a much
increased price!) is causing widespread
confusion and frustration. I have been trying to
secure a reasonable price and convert from
CD Rom to the web since June but so far
without any success.
As a small institution our subscription last year
was two thirds of the entire budget for library
materials so without a chest deal or "special
offer" we can no longer afford the £6000
quoted (50% rise). How can any supplier
justify this???
As many of our students are new to IT,
PsycLit on CD Rom was quite difficult to use
compared to other (mainly web-based)
databases. The web version of Psycinfo is
easy to use and allows remote access.
I have contacted CHEST about subscribing
on their special deal (price is excellent) but
have been told that as an associate member
of Chest we cannot take advantage of this as
they are still negotiating with the APA. Chest
have been very understanding and helpful but
I am getting nowhere and am now in a position
that students need to access such info for
their assignments.
Our subscription agents and the CD Rom
suppliers have tried to be as helpful as they
can but it seems that they are confused by the
situation as well and I have been told that I
cannot buy Psycinfo direct from the CD rom
supplier!!!!
I have had a trial of Psycinfo on the web and it
is very fast and easier to use than the CD
Rom version. however, I have also been told
by the supplier that it is planning to
discontinue PsycInfo on the web.
I can assure you that I am not going mad and
all I want to do is subscribe to this database.
However, I am not prepared to be ripped off
and the APA seem to be bloody minded
(other contacts have said this too) and
forgetting that ultimately we are customers.
What do you think? How has this affected you?
Do you know any company which will simply
let me subscibe to psycInfo on the web for a
reasonable price!!!
Any help will be most appreciated
Mark
Mark Norman
Library IT Manager
Regent's College
Inner Circle
Regent's Park
London NW1 4NS
Tel +44 (0)20 7487 7567
Fax +44 (0)20 7487 7667
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