Why are faculty and students being asked to review the Libraries serial subscriptions?
Over the past few years, 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. UNLV Libraries must make these cuts because of a flat acquisitions budget (due to the state’s budget crisis) and due to the fact that most library materials are recurring costs with high inflation rates. In the past decade, print and electronic journal subscription rates have increase 8%-11% annually, far greater than general inflation rates. Both of these factors have weakened the Libraries purchasing power. As a result of favorable consortial agreements for purchasing electronic resources, and continuing administrative support of new monies to match inflation, UNLV Libraries has been able to avoid a cancellation project for five years. UNLV Libraries has exhausted all alternatives and the cumulative effects of inflation require that we take action this year.
