I’m happy to see that I’m not the only person who thinks these fees are subscriptions in disguise! I’ve been trying to convince various
providers of electronic resources to waive these fees for our “one-time, perpetual access” purchases, for at least the last 8 years (since I’ve been in collection development). I’ve been able to convince several of our major providers to waive these fees,
either as part of the purchase or as part of an agreement to continue to add to our holdings in the future. We haven’t refused to pay, but I make a point of cornering the highest-up person at the booth at the ALA conferences and telling them what I think
of their ridiculous fees.
Sandy
Sandy Barstow
Head of Collection Development
University of Wyoming Libraries
Dept. 3334, 1000
E. University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071
(307) 766-5621
[log in to unmask]
From: An informal open list set up by UKSG - Connecting the Information Community <[log in to unmask]>
On Behalf Of Tom Francis [tbf]
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 5:30 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [lis-e-resources] Annual Hosting Fees - enough is enough!
Hi All,
Sorry for cross posting - which, in this context, means posting while I’m cross…
We’ve had a few instances lately where annual fees for accessing resources that we have “bought” have been ratcheted up in a way that makes journal inflation look reasonable. Back
in 2014, with a small amount of money left at the end of the year, we bought an online archive, with the understanding that there would be an annual access fee of £50. For the next two years that was the case, but last year, with no warning, we were sent an
invoice for £150. When I queried this I was told that they’d moved to a new platform, lots of new functionality, etc. etc. We paid it, because we didn’t really have any choice, but I made my feelings about the unannounced 200% increase very clear. Last night
I received the invoice for this year’s access fee: it has now doubled, to £300.
I appreciate that everything involves a cost, and I’m not against the principle of paying an annual fee to access something that we “own” – but I really don’t like this situation
of fees shooting up every year and there’s nothing we can do about it. It’s becoming a subscription in all but name, and that’s not what we wanted – or have the budget for.
I’m of a mind to just cancel it. And to never to buy anything from this supplier ever again. I’m wondering:
·
Is this something that bothers you?
·
Does anyone have a strategy for dealing with this?
·
Has anyone ever refused to pay, and lost access to content?
·
Has JISC published some sort of guideline to publishers about this?
Thanks all,
Tom
Tom Francis
|
Arweinydd Tîm Caffael Adnoddau
Llyfrgell Hugh Owen
Prifysgol Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 3DZ
|
Resources Acquisition Team Leader
Hugh Owen Library
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 3DZ
|
e:
[log in to unmask] /
[log in to unmask]
/
[log in to unmask]
t: +44 (0)1970 62 2363
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg a Saesneg. Cewch ateb Cymraeg i bob gohebiaeth Gymraeg ac ateb Saesneg i bob gohebiaeth Saesneg.
Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn arwain at oedi.
We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English. Correspondence received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and correspondence in English will be
answered in English.
Corresponding in Welsh will not involve any delay.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Prifysgol Aberystwyth www.aber.ac.uk
Prifysgol y Flwyddyn ar gyfer Ansawdd Dysgu - The Times & The Sunday Times 2018.
Aberystwyth University www.aber.ac.uk
University of the Year for Teaching Quality - The Times & The Sunday Times 2018.
lis-e-resources is a UKSG list -
http://www.uksg.org UKSG groups also available on Facebook and LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/UKSG
Marjorie Newson