Database Review Results

In the spring of 2007, under the direction of the Collection Management Team, subject librarian members of the Arts & Humanities Collaborative (AH), the Social Sciences and Allied Professions Collaborative (SS), the Science and Technology Collaborative (ST), and the Information and Research Services Team (IR), reviewed UM Libraries' database subscriptions.

Each of the groups identified the databases that were directly relevant to that group's work and used an evaluation form and prioritization process. The end result was a grouping of databases into tiers. Tier 3 contained the lowest-priority databases, Tier 1 the highest.

In light of projections for FY09, Tier 3 databases are subject to cancellation this spring. Canceling or otherwise adjusting database subscriptions will help mitigate the extent of journal cancellations anticipated for FY09.

A number of resources were reviewed by more than one group and the Tier designations were not in accord. As FY09 price quotes are received and price increases can be measured, the Collection Management Team will consult with the respective groups to understand the different assessment results.

Additionally, as we receive FY09 price quotes from vendors over the course of the next few months, any price increase greater than 5% will trigger reconsideration of the subscription, regardless of the Tier. Where the number of simultaneous users can be scaled back or the vendor can be changed to realize price savings without great inconvenience to researchers, these adjustments will be made.

Tier 3 Databases

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