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When the Big Deal Gets Smaller: Use of ScienceDirect after Cancellations

Authors :
Kohn, Karen
Source :
portal: Libraries and the Academy. Apr 2023 23(2):313-337.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

This study investigates how article downloads from ScienceDirect changed after Temple University Libraries downsized its all-inclusive Elsevier big deal bundle to a selective custom package. After the libraries lost current-year access to nearly half of Elsevier's active journals, the total downloads from Elsevier journals declined by 16.2 percent over three years. Combined use of still-subscribed and open access journals fell 10.6 percent in the same three years, suggesting that the drop in total use is due not only to the loss of journals but also to factors that would affect the remaining journals, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and a slight decrease in enrollment. Patrons may have substituted articles from still-subscribed and open access journals for those that were canceled, though the data are not conclusive. Reliance on open access appears to have increased.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1531-2542 and 1530-7131
Volume :
23
Issue :
2
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
portal: Libraries and the Academy
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1391214
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2023.0012