University Libraries Serials Assessment Project 2003
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are faculty and students being asked to review the
Libraries serial subscriptions?Is there an official letter of explanation regarding the serials assessment?
How are serial titles being evaluated?
Will it be possible to review the entire list of serials under review?
How can my department participate in the serials assessment?
If I state my concerns about canceling a title, will it automatically be saved?
What would happen if the Libraries didn't cancel any journals?
When will the cancellations go into effect?
How can I get access to titles once they have been canceled?
What about new journals? The library doesn't have the journals I need.
Are other research libraries engaged in similar projects?
Who should I contact for more information?
- Why are faculty and students being asked to review the Libraries serial subscriptions?
- Demand for new serials, particularly in the more expensive electronic formats, has increased at UNLV as new programs have been added at a rapid pace. In addition, the state budget allocation for library materials has not kept up with the increasing cost of serials, print and electronic in the past decade, subscription rates increase 8%-11% each year, far greater than general inflation rates. Both of these factors have weakened the Libraries purchasing power. Without a significant increase in funding for serials, the Libraries may have to cancel some subscriptions for 2004 and provide access to articles through alternative methods.
- Is there an official letter of explanation regarding the serials assessment?
- Yes, you can read the text of a letter addressed to the university community that explains the current assessment project.
- How are serial titles being evaluated?
- The Collection Development department will consider your comments along with factors such as annual cost, use, and availability of the same information in other formats and through Document Delivery Services as it reviews approximately 2000 serial titles.
- Will it be possible to review the entire list of serials under review?
- Yes. On April 14, a print list of serials under review was sent
to each UNLV academic department chair. Print copies of the list are
also available in the Graduate Student Lounge located on the 3rd floor
and at the R & I desks of the Lied Library. Links to Excel files containing
each department's serials and a list of all titles under review are
available at the Serials Assessment Project web
site. You may download the files to your PC and review the titles.
If you have questions about specific titles, you may contact your
department's Subject Librarian.
- How can my department participate in the serials assessment?
- The Libraries encourage feedback from all UNLV faculty and students.
For each title under review, you have been asked to assign a rank
of 'E-Essential,' 'U-Useful' or 'M-Minimally Useful'. Departments
may choose to review titles and submit one ranked list to the library
and/or individual faculty and students may enter their rankings by
downloading the available Excel files
and email their rankings to the Library. Complete information
for participating is at the Serials Assessment
Project web site
For full consideration, please submit your rankings and comments by May 16, 2003.
Please email your edited Excel files and any comments to librarycdm@unlv.edu You may also return a print copy of the title lists with your rankings and comments to:
SAP 2003 - Collection Development
MS 7038
Lied Library
- If I state my concerns about canceling a title, will it automatically be retained?
- The Libraries are committed to providing resources that are critical to teaching or research at UNLV. It is, however, difficult to guarantee that all desired subscriptions will be retained. If a journal you recommended the library keep is cancelled, access to articles will be available either electronically or in print through Document Delivery Services.
- What would happen if the Libraries didn't cancel any serials?
- Without new funding for library collections, if we didn't cancel some serials our ability to purchase new books and new journals would be severely impacted. The Libraries must be able to acquire new information resources in order to meet the needs of the curriculum and demands of a growing student population.
- When will the cancellations go into effect?
- If cancellations are necessary, a list of titles to be cancelled will be posted for review at the library web site in July and through the Fall semester of 2003. The subscriptions will cease with the last issue published for 2003.
- How can I get access to titles once they have been canceled?
- Access to articles in journals no longer subscribed to by the Libraries may be available in electronic format through full-text databases or electronic journal packages subscribed to by the Libraries. You may also obtain a print copy of articles through Document Delivery Services.
- What about new journals? The library doesn't have the journals I need.
- As part of the serials assessment project, the Libraries have asked faculty and students to list up to 5 journals or electronic resources that are critical to their research and classroom activities, whether the library currently subscribes to them or not. We encourage each of you to respond to this question when you return your ranked title lists to the Library. In addition, requests for new library materials may be submitted at any time by contacting your department's Subject Librarian.
- Are other university libraries conducting serials assessment projects?
- Most university libraries are facing similar budget constraints and inflationary pressures with regard to serials. Serials assessment project such as the one we are undertaking has become an annual activity at many academic libraries in the US.
- Who should I contact for more information?
- Contact your Subject Librarian
with questions about specific titles.
If you have questions about the Excel files listing titles under review, please contact the Collection Development (librarycdm@unlv.edu) department.
