Introduction

A number of factors drive the cost of scholarly books and journals. Unpredictable changes in any one or combination of these factors dramatically affect how successfully the UC Davis University Library can acquire and provide access to information resources that support the research, teaching, and patient care efforts of UC Davis faculty, staff, and students.

Book and journal production rates:

• "In 1980 there were about 120 economics journals, half of which were commercial and half non-profit. In 2000 there are almost 300 economics journals, two-thirds of which are owned by commercial publishers." (source: The Economics of Scholarly Journal Publishing. Bergstrom and Bergstrom.)
• From June 5, 2012 RR Bowker press release, book production rose 6% in 2011
• From R.R. Bowker, U.S. Book Production 2002-

Book and journal inflation rates

Based on statistics gathered from 125 members of the Association of Research Libraries (UC Davis is a member):

• Between 1986 and 2011 for ARL members:
  • Book expenditures rose 99% while journal expenditures rose 402%
• For UC Davis University Library between 2008 and 2012:
  • Book expenditures rose on average 12%
  • Locally subscribed journal expenditures (print and electronic) rose on average 29%
  • UC CDL licensed ejournal expenditures rose on average 8.5%

Foreign currency exchange affecting book and journal cost

• For 2012 the average exchange rate for the US dollar resulted in a 3% reduction in purchasing power
• For March, 2013 the average exchange rate for the US dollar resulted in a 2% reduction in purchasing power

Commercial publisher mergers and acquisitions of society publishing efforts reducing the number of options to disseminate scholarly information:

Various investment reports for science, technology, and medical journal publishers show an average subscription rate increase of 20-30% after a merger or acquisition. This chart indicates the consolidation of control among commercial scholarly publishers illustrating that more than 40 major publishers are now controlled by six entities. (PDF version of chart)

New UC Davis academic programs that require formats other than print or Internet-based resources:

Information for new undergraduate majors, such as film studies, is found on CD-ROMs and DVDs in addition to the traditional book and journal.

Summary

The factors mentioned above play more devastating roles to university research, teaching, and patient care when Library's book and journal budget either remains flat (with no annual increases) or is reduced. As a result the Library:

• Cannot continue to acquire books and to subscribe to journals at the same rate as in the past
• Cannot support multiple formats, but must select the format (print or electronic) that best serves the majority of the targeted users
• Cannot acquire materials for all faculty research or teaching areas of interest