Periodical Cancellations for 2006

The UWSP Library continuously evaluates its periodical collection to assess its use and support of the curriculum. Subscriptions are cancelled only after careful review by UWSP Library faculty in collaboration with academic departments across campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is UWSP Library undertaking this cancellation project?
What criteria were used to identify periodicals for cancellation?
What does the cancellation project mean for campus access to the journals I need?
How can I find out if journals outside my discipline are being considered for cancellation?
How can I participate in the periodical review?
What is the timeline for this process?
Where can I go to find out more about scholarly publishing issues?
Whom do I contact for more information?

Why is UWSP Library undertaking this periodical cancellation project?

While most of the materials covered by the UWSP Library’s budget have increased in price, print periodical subscription prices have increased the most. In recent years periodical costs have increased an average of 8-12% per year. These cost increases, coupled with zero-increase or declining budgets (our acquisitions budget was cut 11% last year), require the evaluation of our existing periodical collection.

Because periodicals make up over half of the acquisitions budget, cost containment must involve current periodical titles. However, we recognize that cancellations must be made with careful consideration of a variety of factors and with the involvement of faculty.

What criteria were used to identify periodicals for cancellation?

To begin the process Library faculty reviewed UWSP Library’s current periodical collection and identified periodical titles as candidates for cancellation using the following criteria: 

• Little or no recorded use over the past five years
• Full-text availability and use within larger databases
• Availability within the UW system via interlibrary loan

 With faculty input, the following were added to the criteria: 

• Significance of the title to the curriculum
• Departmental certification requirements where applicable

What does the cancellation project mean for campus access to the journals I need?

The following title counts may help to put the cancellation project in perspective in terms of overall access to periodical titles (print and online):

As you can see, with the advent of online databases like EBSCOhost, Project MUSE, JSTOR, and many others, UWSP's access to full-text periodical titles has increased dramatically over the last 5-10 years. Even with the cancellation of print titles necessitated by rising print periodical costs and declining budgets, the UWSP Library provides access to an increasing number of periodical titles that cover a wide range of academic disciplines. Interlibrary Loan provides access to journals not available in print or online through the UWSP Library.

How can I find out if journals outside my discipline are being considered for cancellation?

Check the complete Candidates for Cancellation list on the Web. The list is organized in alphabetical order by title and provides information about cost and alternative online access.

How can I participate in the periodical review?

UWSP faculty are reviewing titles that have been classified as candidates for cancellation for their respective departments and providing their input to UWSP Library. Faculty interested in offering their input on cross-disciplinary titles appearing on the cancellation list may review the complete Candidates for Cancellation list on the Web and provide their input to UWSP's Serials Librarian by email or phone at 346-4200.

What is the timeline for this process?

Where can I go to find out more about scholarly publishing issues?

The SPARC Initiative, a collaboration between research libraries and scholarly societies, offers information and tools for faculty wishing to become active in addressing what many consider to be a crisis in scholarly publishing. SPARC's focus is on expanding competition and supporting open access.

Whom do I contact for more information?

You may contact UWSP's Serials Librarian by email or phone at 346-4200. Or you may contact your department's librarian liaison. You can find a list of librarian liaisons and department library representatives here.