![Increasing complexity (ii) Technology-based service provision (e.g. InterScience , Science Direct , IngentaConnect , High Wire Press etc. ) Continuous evolution of media for delivery/access ( e.g. microfiche > disc > CDs > laptops> PDAs > mobile phones > eBook readers etc.) [oh, and print] Alternative models of scholarly communication open access/institutional repositories informal exchange/peer networks other web-based content e.g. blogs](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/loughboroughpresentationinprogress-090422064258-phpapp02/85/Loughborough-Presentation-In-Progress-20-320.jpg)
Loughborough Presentation (In Progress)
- 1. The Evolving Agent Sarah Durrant Secretary General Association of Subscription Agents & Intermediaries (ASA)
- 2. Welcome A bit about me A bit about the ASA Talk The basics: what do subscription agents do? The evolving agent: new tools and services for the information supply chain Q&A
- 3. Logistics Coffee/tea break at 3pm Feel free to participate… Ask questions at any stage on any topic or issue
- 4. About me… Secretary General of Association of Subscription Agents & Intermediaries (ASA) Part-time role, started July 2008 Red Sage Consulting 20 years in information industry (Academic Press, Wiley, CatchWord/Ingenta, INASP) Publishing background so learning all the time… Recently adopted retired racing greyhound
- 5. About the ASA… Founded in 1934 (not by me…) International trade association serving subscription agents and intermediaries 40+ members covering over 90% of the world's scholarly/professional subscription business Upholds standards of excellence, integrity and service innovation in the information supply chain Promotes best practice in the purchase, supply and access of serials
- 6. About the ASA… Seeks to enhance relations between publishers and libraries e.g. early pricing, gracing of e-journals, claims reduction, anti-fraud Innovates/cooperates on industry standards e.g. ISSN, COUNTER/SUSHI, EDI, ONIX etc. Lobbying e.g. no/reduced VAT on e-journals
- 7. Before we take off… A snapshot of the services provided by subscription agents Not a detailed examination of specific services from any particular agent… Not all services are available from all agents Agency services are evolving all the time
- 8. The Basics: What do subscription agents do?
- 9. In broad brush terms… Publishers create and disseminate scholarly research information Libraries subscribe/purchase access to that information Agents work between the two to: enhance the efficiency of the information supply chain save their customers (libraries and publishers) time and money
- 10. It can be murder in the library… Limited library staff, time, budget and resources 100’s if not 1000’s of publishers 1000’s of journals Archives and back issues Plus, the need to keep on top of: shelf-ready printed journals publisher web platforms registrations & access usernames and passwords publisher licences claims
- 11. Potentially 100’s of publishers interacting with the library, e ach with: different renewal and payment terms currencies claiming terms different access procedures different licences time-consuming and expensive for libraries and publishers Without an agent… Image courtesy of Paul Williams, Swets Library
- 12. With an agent… Agents are specialists at facilitating one-to-many relationships Leaves library staff free to concentrate on core needs of library and users Agent Library Image courtesy of Paul Williams, Swets
- 13. Finding a niche … Historically, agents had a very clearly defined role: consolidate the library’s print orders place those orders and manage payments… … to multiple publishers in multiple currencies deliver print copies to the library chase claims on behalf of the library
- 14. Finding a niche … Services valued by publishers and libraries alike Clear benefits to the supply chain However, in the last 10-15 years, technology has bought major change to the scholarly information environment: creation dissemination ‘ consumption’
- 15. An illustration from Darwin… Pale Peppered moth ( Biston betularia typica ) Dark Peppered moth ( Biston betularia carbonaria ) Environment favoured pale moths Industrial revolution…soot Environment favours dark moth Improved environmental standards Environment favours pale moth again
- 16. ‘ Fittest’ in Darwinian terms does not mean strongest, it means the most apt or well-suited to the (new) environment.
- 17. Interesting. Didn’t we just say that scholarly information has undergone its own ‘industrial revolution’?
- 18. Over 85% HSS journals and over 95% STM journals now online*... *Cox J & L: Scholarly Publishing Practice (Third Survey 2008) , ALPSP 2008 … the scholarly information environment has become increasingly complex.
- 19. Increasing complexity (i) Access vs. ownership Complex pricing models Publishers dealing direct with libraries Evolution of consortia Publisher licences Agreements open to negotiation e.g. pricing and terms Big deals, collections & packages, backfiles, databases, eBooks, individual articles Issues over perpetual access rights
- 20. Increasing complexity (ii) Technology-based service provision (e.g. InterScience , Science Direct , IngentaConnect , High Wire Press etc. ) Continuous evolution of media for delivery/access ( e.g. microfiche > disc > CDs > laptops> PDAs > mobile phones > eBook readers etc.) [oh, and print] Alternative models of scholarly communication open access/institutional repositories informal exchange/peer networks other web-based content e.g. blogs
- 21. Range and complexity of pricing models… Cox J & L: Scholarly Publishing Practice (Third Survey 2008) , ALPSP 2008
- 22. In a changing environment, species must either… … adapt … or perish Another lesson from Darwin
- 23. Would agents adapt or go the way of the Dodo?
- 24. How have agents responded? By creating new tools and services librarians need By providing tangible support to libraries on industry-wide issues By continuing to play a leading role in standards
- 25. New tools and services for libraries…
- 26. Helping libraries stay informed Electronic information much more dynamic than print Web-based agency services keep libraries informed: publication schedules web platforms changes to URLs username/password management titles included in particular collections licensing terms etc.
- 27. Subscription administration tools Comprehensive search of library holdings View subscription status (active, due for renewal, inactive) 3-year financial history of each subscription Rapid ordering/renewal/cancellation Invoice consolidation Fast, efficient registration and activation of purchased resources Full claims history including outstanding claims
- 28. Support with licences Web-based services from agents provide: details of each publisher’s standard license clauses status of each license – signed, not signed, under discussion overview of all licences, viewable by title or by publisher associated ordering and access information
- 29. Reporting tools Librarians can tailor reports to answer key questions e.g. : What do we currently subscribe to? Which issues are unavailable to patrons and need to be claimed? Which print subscriptions have cancellation restrictions (due to e-deals)? What’s the pricing history of this title/collection/publisher? What new publications are available in my subject area? How do our current holdings compare against e-options?
- 30. Technical Expertise Registration tracking Licence tracking Package renewal tools Link resolvers EDI transactions Aggregated collections Shelf-ready print journals simplifies e-content registration easy access to current licence terms efficient renewal of large collections appropriate copy fast, error-free transfer of orders, claims etc. Economies of scale Save time and money
- 31. Consortia services Online tools for: assessment of offers order placement and subscription activation ensuring e-package deals are accurately invoiced and charged administration including tracking membership, invoicing, who has paid what etc. efficient renewals
- 32. Collection development tools Cancel or renew subscriptions – singly on in bulk Upgrade to include e-version or move to e-only Integrate usage statistics with subscription details and pricing information allows cost-per-use analysis helps library establish value for money of a title or collection informs renewal decisions
- 33. Decision support Reports for: searches, sessions and turnaways (multi-year) price comparisons price-per-use data vendor- and/or collection specific queries Supporting: collection development decisions migration from print to electronic analysis of cost per budgetary code
- 34. You want more…?
- 35. Wider industry support for libraries…
- 36. EDI Electronic Data Interchange Allows the exchange of commercial information between computers… … irrespective of processing system Uses standard formats agreed between trading partners In our industry, facilitates payments, claims and other information between publishers, agents and libraries
- 37. Why is this important? EDI has revolutionised the information supply chain: millions of transactions efficiently processed radically reduces delivery times replaces paper with electronic documents reduces errors automates multiple repetitive tasks saves staff time and cost – throughout supply chain
- 38. Early pricing information Publishers ‘review’ their pricing annually More pages, more content, access to backfiles etc. (but sometimes for no marketable reason) Commercial publishers often more bullish than not-for-profit and society publishers Prices increases are sometimes in line with inflation but 5-10% not uncommon Agents lobby publishers to issue pricing information in a timely way
- 39. Why is this important? Timely pricing information enables libraries to: allocate budget and plan spending engage with faculty and other users about new resources assess value for money of offers and, if needbe, negotiate Ensures continued access to valued resources
- 40. Gracing of e-journals Publishers allowing continued access to subscribed content into the new subscription year Print and electronic Typically to Jan/Feb., sometimes beyond Often whilst licence agreements/negotiations are finalised Or whilst consortia/libraries finalise purchase decisions Agents actively talking to publishers to help them universally understand the value of gracing
- 41. Why is gracing important? Enables libraries to provide continued service for valued resources to users Gives librarians time to assess value for money of offers… … and, if needbe, negotiate Makes allowance for discussion and delay in the purchasing process Helps publishers by keeping their journals in use and their customers happy
- 42. Claims reduction Claims are made by libraries when scheduled journal issues are: delayed go missing cannot be accessed online Claimed issues can be print or electronic The claiming process is time-consuming, repetitive and very tedious… ..and is different for each publisher
- 43. Claims reduction Agents provide web-based services populated with publishers’ publication schedules which: automatically update library when issues are published alert library to issues which are overdue enable library to log claims with each publisher in an appropriate way save librarians time, money…and sanity
- 44. VAT on E-Journals Printed books, magazines and journals are zero-rated for VAT in the UK However HM Customs & Excise classify electronic journals as a service… … making them liable to (at present) 15% VAT Publishers have held out by making e-versions "free" with print subscriptions But increasingly the e-journal is the main product Many journals are born digital with no print counterpart
- 45. Why is VAT important? It adds 15% to journal prices in the UK Not in the interests of: Research: scholarly information is expensive enough Libraries: higher prices, claim-back procedure can be tortuous Publishers: additional administration, higher prices Agents are actively lobbying the European Commission through The Frankfurt group (of which ASA is a member) to demand that e-resources be zero- or low-rated for VAT
- 46. Standards
- 47. Standards Athens/Shibboleth COUNTER/SUSHI EDI ONIX ONIX-PL ISSN etc.
- 48. Further reading I have provided a handout/support document Web addresses for full information about each of these standards Available on Blackboard
- 49. Summary Agents: Are committed to enhancing the efficiency of the information supply chain Are experts in one-to-many relationships facilitating millions of transactions between libraries and publishers Provide sophisticated services designed to facilitate library workflow Support libraries (and publishers) through wider industry involvement and lobbying Enable librarians to focus on core activities/more important issues Confer major savings in staff time and cost etc.
- 51. … it would be murder in the library
- 52. Thank you for your attention. Questions, comments… www.subscription-agents.org