The lively discussion on “Coping with Budget Cuts,” held at the 2004 roundtable during the annual meeting in Boston provided the background and impetus to continue the discussion for the 2005 roundtable. Doug Lind, co-chair of the Collection Development Committee began the discussion by posing two questions. Have libraries canceled print copies of what has traditionally been defined as the “core collection” and how are decisions being made between print copies and electronic access for services such as CCH looseleafs and BNA products?
Several libraries did report cancellation, or plans to cancel all print copies of a variety of “core” materials including advance legislative and session laws issues, state codes, journals and digests, relying instead on electronic access. Mike Chiorazzi of the University of Arizona has canceled print extensively and explained that in his view the library cannot justify duplication of resources given other demands. Even if there are no budget pressures, resources should be shifted to other areas, especially monographs and multi-disciplinary areas, or services to give patrons what they want.
Several participants expressed continuing frustration with the pricing models for print and electronic equivalents. CCH has announced increasing costs for electronic subscriptions if print subscriptions are cancelled. Although many libraries have purchased the BNA package, others felt that pricing and bundling were obstacles to moving to all electronic, even when this was preferred. Participants urged libraries to find ways as a group to bring pressure on publishers to change some of their offerings, and also to supply needed statistics and related data as part of their services.
Many of the themes of the discussion were further developed in 2005 programs and the committee hopes to develop more program proposals out of these annual discussions. If you have comments or ideas for ways to engage in discussion on these topics in the future and between annual roundtables, please contact Collection Development Committee Co-Chairs Doug Lind at Lindd@law.gergetown.edu or Connie Lenz at lenzx009@umn.edu.