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Serials Review: Frequently Asked Questions
Why are serials being reviewed?
Will spending for books be reduced as well?
Who will determine the specific reductions for each discipline?
How much will the review and subsequent reduction impact the allocation for my discipline?
What is the timeline for the review and subsequent reduction of commitments? [View Serials Review Timetable]
How can I get access to titles once they have been cancelled?
What would happen if serials commitments weren’t reduced?
Why is it important to review serials every three years?
What other universities regularly review serials commitments?
Who should I contact for more information?
What is a Serial?
A serial is anything that is subscribed to on an ongoing basis. Serials include journals, magazines, newsletters, directories, indexes, statistical series, and monographic series, in all formats (paper, electronic or microform).
Why are serials being reviewed?
Serials costs have increased by more than 10% annually for several years – a rate of increase greater than the cost of living and the Libraries’ collections budget. By comparison, book costs have increased by approximately 2-3% per year. To ensure that the collections budget remains balanced and allocations for serials are proportionate to those for books in meeting the demands of each discipline, we must consider reducing the number of serials we purchase.
Will spending for books be reduced as well?
For some disciplines, it may be preferable to reduce spending on books in order to maintain serials commitments. For other disciplines, it will likely be necessary to reduce book purchases in addition to reducing serials commitments. Some disciplines may determine to focus solely on reducing serials commitments.
Who will determine the specific reductions for each discipline?
Liaison librarians will initiate and lead the review process with faculty members in each discipline to determine how to make the necessary reductions.
How much will the review and subsequent reduction impact the allocation for my discipline?
Based on projections for anticipated cost increases, each discipline allocation will need to be reduced by a total of approximately 7-12 % over the next 2 years. Each discipline will experience a 7% allocation reduction for FY07, and an allocation reduction of 0-5% for FY08. By implementing these reductions over two years, we are preparing to take advantage of any favorable market changes that might allow for a lesser reduction for FY08.
What is the timeline for the review and subsequent reduction of commitments? [View Serials Review Timetable]
How can I get access to titles once they have been cancelled?
Interlibrary Loan continues to be the way to access books, articles and other materials not owned or licensed by KU. This service is free to KU faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, staff, and affiliates with a valid KUID. More than 50% of all ILL requests are filled withing 3 days and turnaround time on some article requests is 24 hours. Interlibrary Loan requests must be submitted on our online request system, WebRetrieve, which can be accessed from any of our databases that has the "KULink," or from the library’s homepage.
What would happen if serials commitments weren’t reduced?
The Libraries’ would not be able to balance the FY08 collections budget. Even with the projected $600,000 in new funding to the collections budget over the next 3 years, we cannot meet projected journal price increases in FY07 and FY08. In addition, the Libraries would not be able to acquire new information resources in order to meet the changing and emerging needs of new faculty, new programs, and the new curriculastudent population.
Why is it important to review serials every three years?
Faculty changes, together with academic program changes, could change the need for certain serial titles. Liaison librarians attempt to track all such changes and to make adjustments as necessary. However, regularly scheduled reviews are more formalized processes that ensure a complete review of all titles. Many university libraries conduct serial review on a regularly scheduled basis.
What other universities regularly review serials commitments?
Who should I contact for more information?
Contact your Subject Specialist
with questions about specific titles.
You can also contact Lea Currie, Head of Collection Development:lcurrie@ku.edu, (785)864-8997
Serials Review Home | Contacts | Timetable | Cancellation List | FAQs | Historical Documents
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