MathSciNet: an invitation to new members to join the U.K. consortium
(apologies for any irritation caused by cross-posting)
The attachment is the text of this message in MS Word 2000

MathSciNet is a comprehensive online database covering the world's
mathematical literature of the past 61 years. It is supplied by the American
Mathematical Society (AMS) and provides Web access to the signed reviews and
bibliographic data from Mathematical Reviews and Current Mathematical
Publications, A description of the service may be found at
http://www.ams.org/msnhtml/about_mathsci.html

Since the start of this year a consortium has been in place in the U.K.
which enables members to subscribe to MathSciNet at a reduced rate. At
present 16 universities subscribe. 

In order to encourage additional sites to join the U.K. consortium, special
introductory rates will be available from 2002 to new sites who are not
already subscribers to MathSciNet or to Mathematical Reviews.

The MathSciNet subscription is made up of two components: the data access
fee (DAF) and the MathSciNet fee (MSN). The DAF for an individual site (2001
prices) is $6141. The MSN fee is based on "mathematical activity" at a site
(i.e. number of reviews in Mathematical Reviews where the author is
affiliated to that site). The MSN fee for a consortium member is a basic
$250 + $20 per citation up to a maximum of $1000.  (Outside a consortium
this is a flat $1775.)

However, for a consortium, the consortium DAF is the sum of the individual
DAFs for existing subscribers. If a non-subscriber joins a consortium, the
consortium DAF remains the same, but each existing member-site pays
proportionately less because the unchanged consortium DAF can be spread over
a greater number of participants.

In order to encourage new sites to participate, from 2002 non-subscribers
will be asked pay 20% of the individual DAF in year 1, 50% in year 2 and the
full amount from year 3 onwards. In addition they will have to pay the
appropriate MSN each year, whatever it works out at for each site. If a site
chooses to drop out after year 1 or year 2 and then wishes to re-subscribe,
the new subscription will be at the level that would have been applicable,
had there been no interruption.

Thus, if a non-subscribing site decided to join in 2002, it would pay 20% of
$6141 (= $1228) plus the MSN (minimum $250; maximum $1000). Maximum cost =
$2228 = about £1550; minimum cost = $1478 = about £1019. (This is at 2001
subscription rates and  exchange rate of £1.00 = $1.45; obviously subject to
change). 

Prices given above are the current (2001) prices. I understand that the 2002
DAF price may be increased by about 5%: a firm figure is expected about the
end of May. The MSN fee for consortium members will remain capped at $1000
(although there will be an increase for non-consortium subscribers). 

Further information on consortium pricing is available at 
http://www.ams.org/bookstore/mathsciprice.html

AMS offer a 30-day free trial to prospective institutions. Details are also
available at the above site.

Sites who may be interested are invited to contact the co-ordinator of the
U.K. Consortium

Paul Reynolds
Head of Bibliographic Services
Library & Information Services
University of Wales Swansea
Swansea SA2 8PP

Tel     01792 295026
Fax     01792 295851
E-mail  [log in to unmask]