The High Cost of Science Journals: A Case Study and Discussion

Abstract

Like many libraries, Seton Hall University Libraries has suffered budget cuts that forced a reduction in serial subscriptions. As science librarian, I report on my efforts to streamline subscriptions and to address the question “Why are science journals so expensive?” Our science journals are significantly more expensive than journals in other areas. Our commercially published science journals are 25% more expensive than those from non-profit publishers, although the difference is not statistically significant. I discuss the reasons for the high cost of science journals, which involve a complex interaction between supply and demand and academic culture.

Keywords:

• Serials prices
• science journals
• academic publishing
• library budgets
• open access

Acknowledgments

This paper is based on my submission to an essay contest sponsored by the American Chemical Society (Rose-Wiles, 2010). I thank Tony Grimaldi (Elsevier) and Dr. Nicholas Snow (Seton Hall University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry) for discussion and helpful insights.