The Council of Australian University Librarians warns publishers, previous purchasing “can no longer be maintained”
CAUL explains that despite some modest financial surpluses, universities and other members “have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic” and, unlike in the US, did not receive “significant government funding.”
“For many of our members, the level of purchasing previously undertaken by the university library sector can no longer be maintained. The reality is that scholarly content and other providers will need to move to more affordable and creative offerings to optimise access to resources and content essential for student success and excellent research outcomes,” CAUL chair Jill Benn (UWA) says.
The council calls on “vendors,” “to provide new and innovative strategies for sustainable business models.”