Subscriptions reduction review process still underway in Western Libraries

As part of the Subscriptions Reduction Review Process, 33 Western Washington University departments, programs or centers submitted 579 titles for retention consideration (out of 3,614 titles initially proposed for cancelation). Western Libraries faculty reviewed the strength of each retention request using the Senate Library Committee task force’s criteria. Western Libraries has created a vendor negotiation team, which includes the SLC chair, to work toward minimizing negative impact on students, faculty and staff and maximizing the university’s purchasing power. Through this process, we seek to retain as much content as possible.

Due to the complexity of vendors’ different business models, the negotiation process has not yet concluded. The final list of cancelations will be communicated to faculty and published on the Libraries website as soon as it becomes available. Libraries faculty, working in coordination with the SLC, will describe the process used to review the retention requests and determine the final list of cancelations.

Subscriptions cancelations will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2017. There will be no disruption to current subscriptions until that time. Western Libraries remains committed to ensuring that students, faculty, and staff have access to resources that support their teaching, learning, and research. To minimize disruption, the Western Libraries will use the summer and fall quarters to prepare and educate the university community on alternate access to canceled content.

If you have any questions about the Subscriptions Reduction Review process, please contact Mike Olson, Director of Scholarly Resources and Collection Services.