I’d weigh the cost per use as well as the frequency of use and balance that against the number of uses per year. That way you can weigh the cost of potential copyright-compliance fees against the subscription cost. If it would cost you more per year for ILL uses, then (obviously) the subscription is pulling its financial weight. If otherwise, it might be a candidate for cancellation though such factors as accreditation should also be considered.

Peter V. Picerno

Serials & E-Resources

Asst. Head, Resource Development

Green Library GL 810

Florida International University

University Park

Miami  FL   33199

Ph: 305.348.6279

Fax: 305.348.1798

From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Sutton, Sarah
Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 1:40 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] cost per use for individual journals

Does anyone have a formula for deciding their maximum acceptable cost per use of a journal? What I’m really wondering, is how much is too much? It’s easy to justify cancelling print when the cost per use of a print journal is, say, $250 per use. But what about a journal that costs $20.47, cancel it or not?

Clearly there are many other criteria that play into such a decision (e.g. shelf space, curriculum support, accreditation requirements, etc.).  I’m just wondering how (if) the collective wisdom of this list use cost per use data.

Thanks,

Sarah

Sarah Sutton

Serials / Electronic Resources Librarian

Mary & Jeff Bell Library

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

6300 Ocean Drive

Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5702

phone 361-825-2355

fax 361-825-5973

email sarah.sutton@tamucc.edu