A recent study conducted by consultants Scholarly Information Strategies which was commissioned by the Publishing Research Consortium (PRC) has examined library purchasing preferences. The study has exposed a flaw in previous claims that librarians would continue to subscribe to journals even if content became freely available from non-publisher based sources such as institutional archives. In fact, the results show a tendency that libraries may switch to open free resources and dump their traditional journal subscriptions, writes Daniel Griffin.
Of the 400 librarians who took part in the international study. Key factors in library decision making is based on the length of time an embargo period lasts on a research paper, and whether the information is peer-reviewed. According to the survey, these two key points are the major influences in library decision making and will be the reference points on whether a journal subscription is renewed or cancelled.
Chris Beckett, Director, Scholarly Information Strategies commented “Overall, librarians are very sensitive to quality, how quickly the content is made available, the version of the content and the content cost”.
A full analysis of this report will feature in the December issue of IWR out November 27, click here to register for your copy.
No comments:
Post a Comment