Licensing Electronic Journals through Non-Subscription-Agent “Go-Betweens”

Abstract

Conventional licensing wisdom says that libraries work either through subscription agents or directly through publishers. Many, however, are unaware of an alternative model, where for-profit or not-for-profit organizations handle pricing inquiries, terms and conditions, and often customer service on behalf of multiple publishers. Libraries are able to work with one middle person instead of many separate publisher contacts. This session described the whys and hows of this novel form of outsourcing from the perspective of both a librarian and a representative of one of these newer intermediaries.

Keywords:

• licensing
• e-journals
• non-subscription agents
• marketing
• outsourcing
• intermediaries
• customer service