Norwegian University libraries experiences from saying no to Blackwell

1. Norwegian University libraries experiences from saying no to Blackwell Anita Hagen, University of Trondheim Inger Wiborg, University of Oslo

2. Four University Libraries cooperate andABM-utvikling negotiates • The University Libraries License Committee • University of Oslo • University of Bergen • University of Trondheim – NTNU • University of Tromsø • ABM-utvikling (Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority) • Negotiate the deals

3. We could not accept the terms in the offers from Blackwell • Core issues • Price cap • Too high • E-only discount • Too low • Departmental subscriptions • Responsibility for maintenance of non-library subscriptions

4. Preparations when the breakdown was final • All subscriptions were cancelled • A press release was prepared and distributed • Local university newspapers • The main Norwegian daily newspapers • Library organisations in Norway • DEF, BIBSAM, FinElib, ICOLC & SPARC • A web page with information to end-users • Blackwell journals were linked to it • Free interlibrary loan was offered

5. Our strategy after the breakdown • To keep it going for at least three months if necessary • In further negotiations we wanted: • Full collection (the big deal) • Three year e-only agreement • Focus on • Departmental subscriptions • Takeover titles • E-only discount

6. Towards a new agreement • Blackwell wanted a negotiating meeting • After a period of e-mail correspondence both parties wanted a negotiating meeting • ABM-utvikling was contacted • Negotiating meeting in Oslo in March • The whole License Committee, two representatives from ABM-utvikling and Blackwell

7. A new agreement was reached • The result was a compromise • A slightly lower price cap • Blackwell was unwilling to offer a higher e-only discount • A solution was reached concerning departmental subscriptions and takeover titles • Blackwell maintained their principle • We got a fixed title list of subscriptions for 2006 • We will not automatically add takeover titles in 2007, 2008 and 2009 but will be able to select titles

8. The importance of Internet

9. Blackwell – reactions and implications • They did not believe that we actually would end negotiations and lose access • They underestimated the effect of the Internet • They got reactions from editors of society journals, who were worried • They demanded that the press release be withdrawn

10. The university community - reactions • Very few negative reactions • Many positive reactions and support from the end-users • Positive reactions from rector and the decision-makers • Increased awareness of the cost of and need for e-journals & packages in general

11. The Libraries and librarians– reactions and implications • Some of the institute librarians had problems understanding why they could not renew local subscriptions • The cooperation between the four university libraries was very good • The cooperation between the university libraries and ABM-utvikling was very good • It created a lot of extra work to be done (e-mail correspondence and information)

12. What did we achieve? Was it worth it? • We had to compromise, but attained a better license agreement • In general we strengthened our position versus the publishers • The cost and the need for e-journals was made visible • The library’s role was made visible • It was a useful experience and we learned a lot