BC Multi-Sector Database Bundle

Rationale

This page outlines the ongoing work towards the licensing of a database bundle for all BC public, post-secondary, and K-12 libraries.

Through this agreement, BC ELN partner libraries will gain access to a large suite of electronic resources which will benefit students in every discipline. The initiative:

• ensures equitable access for post-secondary learners, as all partner libraries will enjoy the same core set of resources
• reinforces student achievement across the K-16 education continuum through familiarity with a common suite of high quality resources and smooth transitions for students moving from high school to a post-secondary program and then to the working world
• enhances the effectiveness of AskAway, as users and service providers will benefit from knowing there is a common set of resources accessible to all BC post-secondary students
• allows libraries to benefit from guaranteed advantageous system pricing and zero or low renewal increases.

The BC ELN 2006-2011 Strategic Plan identifies coordinated provincial database licensing as a key goal (see Outcome 2.2.1.) In the fall of 2007, an opportunity arose for BC ELN to work collaboratively with representatives of the BC public and K-12 library sectors on a multi-sector license for a core suite of databases. The three sectors engaged in discussion with representatives from the Ministries of Advanced Education (AVED) and Education, and in March of 2008 the Ministries announced one-time funding towards this project, to be spent over two years. AVED has contributed $250,000 for post-secondary libraries.

The Bundle Content

Together the sectors identified three vendor database packages that offer suitable content for a provincial approach to licensing. The products have a significant installed base in all three sectors, so that with a reasonable additional investment these resources can be accessed provincially by all sector groups.

The three packages are:

• Encyclopedia of BC
• World Book: Advanced, Online Reference Center, Kids, French
• EBSCO Database Package:
  • Academic Search Premier
  • Business Source Premier
  • Canadian Reference Centre
  • Consumer Health Complete
  • Professional Development Collection
  • Library, Information and Technology Abstracts Full Text (LISTA)
  • Masterfile Premier
  • Primary Search and Middle Search
  • NoveList and NoveList K-8

AVED Funding

The funding from AVED is intended to cover the “gap” between what is currently spent and the cost of allowing all libraries to access the same content. Partner libraries will continue to license the materials they have selected as essential for their users. The AVED contribution will cover the cost to bring all libraries to the same level of access. It will also enable access to several important new databases.

At present there is no commitment from the Ministry to cover the third year of the annual “gap” cost. BC ELN will work with partner libraries on a sustainability plan.

Partner Library Contributions

BC ELN examined the existing spending of partner libraries for the products in the bundle. Spending levels correspond closely to type and size of institution. In other words, no one library is disadvantaged, and spending is balanced across the types of libraries.

A real financial benefit of the bundle will be reduced costs to libraries due to renewal increases during the term of the deal. EBSCO has agreed that there will be no price increase on the first renewal of the bundle products, a pro-rated increase during the second year, and no more than 4% in the third year. Assuming the agreement is extended to the third year, the total savings for partner libraries are over $60,000. These limits on price increases also benefit libraries upgrading to Academic Search Complete and Business Source Complete.

If every partner library were to license these products without the benefit of the consortial and bundle discounts, the savings for the EBSCO products alone are in excess of $2.4 million. This does not include libraries’ internal costs for negotiation and invoicing.

Term and Implementation

The Bundle agreement will last for two years, from August 1, 2008 to July 31, 2010. There is an option to renew the agreement for a third year.

At this time no action is required on the part of partner libraries. During the month of July BC ELN will be communicating with partner libraries about the implementation plan.

UPDATE: The implementation plan is now available at http://www.eln.bc.ca/docs/view.php?id=413. It outlines the work that is underway, and lists tasks which partner libraries may wish to carry out.

Questions? Please contact

Anita Cocchia

anitac@eln.bc.ca

778.782.7004