Pergamon Press UNLKH@UBVM.BITNET 22 Nov 1991 16:29 UTC
I find it interesting to see that the Rare Books Forum posted this item first. It is, of course, of great interest to those of us who have been dealing with the Elsevier purchase of Pergamon and Pergamon's associated price increase announcement, especially those of us in science and engineering libraries. Thanks to Chris Densmore, an archivist at UB, for bringing this letter (from Princeton to Pergamon) to my attention. Kate Herzog, Director, Science & Engineering Library, State University of New York at Buffalo ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- To the Rare Books and Special Collections Forum: The following letter from Princeton University Librarian Donald W. Koepp was sent last week to Pergamon Press. May we all hope for a salutary impact! --Bill Joyce November 12, 1991 Michael Boswood Managing Director Pergamon Press Headington Hill Hall Oxford, OX3 OBW, UK Dear Mr. Boswood: As a direct result of the astounding journal price increases for 1992 reflected in your invoice dated September l, l992, an unprecedented series of discussions occurred at Princeton University. In two academic departments, there was serious and extended consideration of cancellation of all Pergamon subscriptions. Those favoring such action eventually deferred to those who preferred a less radical course. In a later meeting involving faculty and library staff from the six major scientific and engineering departments there was consensus on another approach. It was agreed to cancel sufficient Pergamon journals so that the total cost of them in 1992 will be no more than the cost was in l991 plus the percentage of inflationary increase in the allocations for each of these department for this fiscal year. Consequently, you will find that almost one fourth of the journals in the September 1 invoice have been cancelled. What should be of concern to you and other publishers is that this decision was taken in an institution the administration of which has made very concerted efforts to increase library acquisitions funds as the costs of publication have grown. Ours was not a decision taken because of absolute financial necessity. It reflected, rather, a considered view that there are certain very real limits to what should be paid for traditionally published scientific and technical journals and that, by this year's increases, you have exceeded those limits. Sincerely, Donald W. Koepp University Librarian cc: Association of Research Library Directors wljoyce@firestone.princeton.edu