Package deals unwrapped … or the librarian wrapped up? “Forced acquisition” in the digital library
Abstract
Purpose
This paper sets out to give an overview of the history of electronic journal package deals in Flanders and the role of consortia. The influence of package deals on libraries' budget, collection management and their role in the advancing monopolization of the information market are highlighted. The article also seeks to clariy why package deals were so attractive in the beginning but turned into a poisoned chalice for many. As an illustration of why it is so hard to get out of a deal, an average package deal license agreement is described.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses personal experience and views supported with background literature.
Findings
The article advocates better co‐operation between libraries and directed communication with the scholarly community which hold the key to making alternatives work.
Originality/value
A resource for those not (completely) familiar with package deals and their wide influence. The available alternatives and the remaining obstacles are described.
Keywords
Citation
Hellriegel, P. and Van Wonterghem, K. (2007), "Package deals unwrapped … or the librarian wrapped up? “Forced acquisition” in the digital library", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 35 No. 2, pp. 66-73. https://doi.org/10.1108/02641610710754060
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited