Periodicals review

Each year, the Library has a Periodicals Review Exercise. This takes place towards the end of the session when budgets for the following academic year have been announced. Between then and late in the Summer vacation (when we begin to renew titles with our subscription agents), we consult with schools and departments on whether they would like to renew their periodical subscriptions for the following year.

As part of the review process schools and departments also choose what part of their Library allocation is to be budgeted for expenditure on books as opposed to journals – the more committed for journals from their allocation the less will be available for books.

What happens?

Library Representatives are sent spreadsheets of the periodicals currently paid for out of their School / Department Library allocation, and also any paid for out of departmental funds. The spreadsheets indicate those cases where the costs of titles are shared between departments. Predicted costs of titles, based on averages over several years, are also supplied, together with an estimated total periodicals expenditure for the forthcoming session. Note that these estimates are subject to change, especially if international exchange rates fluctuate.

If the amount allocated for periodicals is less than that anticipated in the spreadsheet, departments can choose to wire money from their book allocation to support periodicals or transfer money from departmental funds.

Any titles which departments have indicated they wish to cancel are placed on an ‘at risk’ list, which is temporarily published on the Library website. Library Representatives from other departments are encouraged to look at this list and have the opportunity to rescue titles destined for cancellation by committing their own library allocation or departmental money.

Are there any titles we can't cancel?

Note that some titles are categorised as ‘non-cancellation’ titles. Under the licence terms of our subscription to certain e-journal bundles, we are prevented from cancelling print copies of titles contained in electronic format with these bundles. These non-cancellation titles are also indicated on the periodicals spreadsheets.

What if we want to take out a subscription to a new journal?

If there are sufficient funds available in your periodicals budget we can arrange for subscriptions to new titles as part of the review process. Contact your Liaison Team Manager with the details.

Further information

For further information about the review please contact your Liaison Team Manager.

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