While other campuses (including some UC campuses) are planning serials cancellations, we do not anticipate having to do this. With the support of the Chancellor and EVC, the UCI Libraries has been able to maintain serials collections and make incremental additions in support of new and existing academic programs. However with the uncertainty of the budget and serials price inflation, we are taking steps to manage the serials collection, to avoid a serials cancellation, and to continue providing critical resources for teaching and research.
One strategy is to minimize the duplication of content, and when the content is equivalent, to give preference to digital formats over print. The UCI Libraries is engaged in a review of serials subscriptions where we currently purchase both the print and electronic versions of a title. At this time, we have identified a number of titles where we feel confident that we can rely solely on the electronic version of the title with a minimum of problems for the campus community. Our proposed list is composed of selected titles that are duplicating the electronic content, where the long-term archiving and accessibility of the journal content are well assured.
As part of our contract, the UC system has perpetual access to the online content and receives one print archival copy of each journal. There will be plans to store these journals as a shared print journal archive at the Southern Regional Library Facility (SRLF). Users will be able to receive articles via digital desktop delivery, or via interlibrary loan if needed. In addition to savings with the print subscription price, this action offsets the behind-the-scenes costs of processing, binding and shelving print materials in an already crowded collection environment.
This de-duplication of formats will help us to maintain serials subscription obligations next year without a more serious cancellation project as well as cover an estimated 7-9% annual increase in serials prices. The savings realized from this duplicate format review will allow us to leverage our limited resources more effectively and to continue to support the new and emerging academic needs on campus for print and online resources.
This approach is in alignment with SLASIAC, which has issued various resolutions that recommend creating shared print collections and exploring ways to manage library resources to meet the growth of campuses and information demands from faculty and students. In addition, this proposal is based on several readership surveys conducted this year. The results of the recent UC-wide Collection Management Initiative (CMI) sponsored by the Mellon Foundation helped influence these decisions. The study and experience demonstrated that UC library users overwhelmingly prefer to use the electronic version as opposed to a print version when electronic is available and complete.
While we have carefully reviewed these titles, we understand that there may be special circumstances concerning a particular title and we ask that you inform us of that and share comments by contacting your Subject Librarian or Lorelei Tanji, AUL for Collections by Monday, October 30, 2006. Your support of this format review will help us to maintain our library resources during these challenging economic times.