Reassessing the value proposition: First steps towards a fair(er) price for scholarly journals

Abstract

Business models surrounding scholarly communications have been much debated over the past two decades. However, interest in the discussion has been sharpened in the UK by the funding issues facing the higher education sector, the reality of budget cuts and the need to focus on affordability. There is a growing realization that notions of 'moderate' price increases associated with 'big deals' over the past ten years will need to be radically reassessed. This paper discusses the financial realities facing UK libraries and the attempt by Research Libraries UK (RLUK) to look for solutions that maintain access to the maximum amount of material possible.