The Libraries are in the thick of planning a major periodicals review to take place in Spring 2004. We are long due for this review: the last time the Libraries undertook such a project was 1996. Now, as then, we are faced with exponential rises in subscription prices - unfortunately nothing uncommon as subscription inflation has been a burden on library budgets for years, with some titles jumping as much as 20% one year and 50% the next. Of course, increased cost isn't the only reason - or even the most important reason - for a review. As always, in order to remain relevant for learning, teaching, and research, our journal collections need to change as curriculum changes. Your input is vital in identifying the importance to learning, teaching, and research at The Colleges of specific journal titles.

The main financial challenge currently is a consequence of the revolution in electronic publishing - a revolution that has expanded greatly both service to and expectations by our users. With expanded access and better service to our users, however, comes even more strain on the periodicals budget. Large electronic periodical collections such as JSTOR, Project Muse, and Lexis-Nexis enrich our library collections enormously - and also take large chunks of the materials budget every year. Databases have become more and more expensive as they move from simple citations and abstracts to full text. Strain on the periodicals budget doesn't end with these new or refurbished products. Most publishers charge additionally for electronic access to individual titles to which the Libraries subscribe in paper - and as we're just beginning to discover, these electronic access fees are themselves subject to inflation. And publishers often penalize libraries for canceling the paper and keeping the electronic subscription by exacting higher rates for the electronic subscription. As a result, the Libraries don't have the resources to continue to subscribe to all the journals in all the formats we currently receive nor to add new journals.

The Libraries have already identified and canceled many duplicate subscriptions. Our next step is to have subject specialist librarians identify low use paper periodicals. In the case of Honnold/Mudd, we will be aided by periodicals reshelving statistics. Once the low use periodicals have been identified, we will ask you to review them. The review will be web-based to make it simple for you to respond and for us to review your responses along with those of your colleagues. On the web form, titles of journals identified as low use will be arranged by subject; faculty will be able to offer input on individual titles. As you review titles, keep in mind that occasional use of specific journals may be better addressed through Interlibrary Loan, allowing the Libraries to allocate those subscription funds more effectively. We hope you will focus especially on your subject area, but your comments will be welcome on titles in any subject of interest to you and for as many titles as you wish. Journals with electronic versions (those that can be cancelled without any significant rise in subscription cost for the electronic edition) will also be identified.

When the review web site is ready, you will receive a letter and an email providing the URL of the periodicals review web form, along with detailed instructions on how to use the form. You will also receive email reminders during the review and as the deadline approaches. Subject specialist librarians will use your input to guide them in making final decisions about low use periodicals. All faculty will be notified of any cancellations when these decisions have been made.

Adam Rosenkranz
Honnold/Mudd Library
adam.rosenkranz@libraries.claremont.edu