Making the Cut: Do Faculty Want to Be Involved in Library Database Cancellations? * WINNER OF THE 2012 PRACTICAL ACADEMIC LIBRARIANSHIP AWARD *

Authors

  • Joyce Garczynski Towson University

Keywords:

collection management, databases, faculty, cancellations, subscriptions, marketing

Abstract

 

 

Because of the recent economic crisis, a number of academic libraries have faced the possibility of having to cancel database subscriptions.  As a major user group of academic libraries, faculty have a history of being involved in collection decisions, but it is unclear to what extent they want to be involved in cancellations.  Also, while the library literature outlines a variety of processes that libraries have used to involve faculty in their serials cancellation decisions, very little is said about eliminating databases.  This study examines whether the strategies outlined for involving faculty in serials cancellations are applicable to database cancellations.  We surveyed 167 faculty members at Towson University to determine what their preferences are for involvement in database cancellations and if those preferences are a function of engagement with the library and/or discipline of study.

* WINNER OF THE 2012 PRACTICAL ACADEMIC LIBRARIANSHIP AWARD *

Author Biography

Joyce Garczynski, Towson University

Communications and Development Librarian at Albert S. Cook Library

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Published

2011-04-22

Issue

Section

Articles