Stanford Senate Approves Measure Targeting For-Profit Journal Publishers

The Stanford University Faculty Senate endorsed the latest attempt by the university's library system to take a stand against for-profit journal publishers that it says engage in exorbitant pricing practices. The senate last week approved a motion on a divided voice vote that encourages libraries to cancel some costly journal subscriptions and faculty to withhold articles and reviews from publishers who engage in questionable pricing practices. The motion singled out publishing giant Elsevier as deserving special attention.

http://www.stanford.edu/dept/news/pr/04/journals225.html
(Press Release, February 24, 2004)

"We're not doing this to position ourselves to negotiate more effectively with Elsevier," said University Librarian Michael Keller. "We're doing this to change the whole scene. We're trying to change the fundamental nature of scholarly communication in the journal industry."

Journal costs have skyrocketed in recent years while many university library budgets have shrunk, putting librarians in the uncomfortable position of having to reduce or cancel subscriptions to some journals valued by academics. At the same time, some for-profit publishers, like Elsevier, started grouping popular journals together with less-desirable ones in "big deal" subscription plans at higher prices, knowing most libraries would go along with the ploy, Keller said.

A spokesman for Elsevier declined to comment, saying the company had not had a chance to review the resolution.

Posted by Tom on March 01, 2004