[Eril-l] Publisher complaint -- how would you respond?

[Karen Jensen]

That email is appalling! Vendors/publishers should not be involved in our
decision-making other than to provide requested use data, or make a better
offer. For them to also imply that the library isn't working with its
patrons, planting the seed that the library is not to be trusted, is even
worse, with potential long-term implications. I'd love to know who this
vendor is and the profession really needs to make a statement in response.
Their actions are dirty pool.

Karen Jensen
Collection Development Officer
Rasmuson Library
University of Alaska Fairbanks
907-474-6695
kljensen at alaska.edu



On Thu, Jul 28, 2016 at 10:01 AM, Sathi, Katherine <ksathi at wustl.edu> wrote:

> Hello my fellow beleaguered eresource librarians –
>
>
>
> Like many libraries, we are cancelling some subscriptions beginning in
> 2017, for budgetary reasons.  After consulting with faculty in their
> respective areas, subject librarians identified titles to cancel to meet
> their individual budget targets.  I sent the compiled list of cancellations
> to all subject librarians at the end of May, and my staff begin notifying
> the vendors and publishers of our cancellation decisions this week.
>
>
>
> Today a faculty member forwarded the following email  from a publisher:
>
>
>
> “Dear colleagues -- I regret to inform you that your library has taken the
> decision to stop the subscription to [database name] of Washington
> University at St Louis, despite steady usage by students during the
> academic months of the year. I'm not sure whether or not staff has even
> been consulted on this matter (my suspicion is that it was not). We have
> asked them to provide us with some reasons why they have made this decision
> and will inform you when they get back to us.  We would be grateful if you
> could take this issue up with your library representative, if you wish your
> students to benefit from continued access to the LE. Let me know if I can
> provide you with further details.  Thank you for your attention and
> support, as ever, xxx”
>
>
>
> The faculty member asked us, “Can you please let us know when and how
> this decision to cancel was made and whether faculty were involved?”  (The
> database was paid for from one subject area, the faculty members contacted
> by the publisher are in a different department).
>
>
>
> I’m curious to know, how would you respond to the faculty member?  What
> would you say to the publisher, if anything?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kate
>
> Kate Sathi
>
> Databases/Serials Librarian
>
> Washington University in St. Louis
>
> ksathi at wustl.edu
>
> 314.935.3363
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
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