NASIG Newsletter

TACTICS SESSION
ER Options for Acquisitions: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Beth Holley and Jill Grog,University of Alabama; Jodi Kuehl, EBSCO
Reported by Jo McClamroch

What a subscription agent can do for your library, in particular, managing “Big Deals,” was the focus of this presentation.  Jodi Kuehl demonstrated many of the features which one agent, EBSCO, can provide to its customers.  Other subscription agents provide similar services, such as sending alerts regarding format changes, verifying subscription prices and comparing them to previous years, creating a variety of spreadsheets to project future costs and cost increases, consolidating license details in a clear format, and more.  Recognizing that libraries invest a great deal of staff time managing Big Deals, these services can be attractive, especially in tight financial times when cuts in staff may be contemplated at your parent institution.

Beth Holley, head of Acquisitions, gave an overview of their Big Deal packages.  Prior to contracting the services of an agent, the University of Alabama Libraries used four systems to manage the life cycle process: an ILS, the Serials Solutions ERM module, EbscoNet, and Excel spreadsheets.  Her philosophy is that it is best to consolidate all package titles with one agent while at the same time using other agents to handle other materials, such as standing orders and shelf-ready books.  She presented a list of advantages for the library of using a single agent, for example, having a team of staff dedicated to your account.  At the same time, some libraries might find it an advantage to manage their Big Deals directly with the publisher.  She mentioned two disadvantages of using a single agent:  having to pay a service fee, and putting all your eggs in one basket.

Jill Grogg wrapped up the session by describing a literature scan she conducted on articles discussing the merits and demerits of using an agent.  One common theme was that a library needed to have confidence in their agent and to think of them as a “metamediary.”  While many libraries continue to internally manage Big Deal packages, others have determined that the services an agent can provide are worth the fees.  There is general agreement that Big Deal packages consume enormous amounts of staff time, require multiple systems to manage, and detract from equally pressing work that requires the same level of attention.  As long as Big Deal packages exist, libraries of all types and sizes will be addressing this question of whether an agent can provide them the best support for their needs.