September 18, 2008

To:         University of Georgia Faculty, Staff and Students
From:     Arnett C. Mace, Jr.
              Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Subject:  Impact of Budget Reduction on UGA Libraries’ Journal Subscriptions

Because of the downturn in the state’s economy, the UGA University Libraries, like all campus units, are facing a projected 6% budget reduction. This reduction in the Libraries’ budget, coupled with the rising cost of scholarly journals, likely will result in the Libraries’ discontinuing some journal subscriptions.

This memo is to alert you to the potential impact of the budget reduction on the Libraries’ ability to acquire journals at the current level and inform you of the Libraries’ plan for consulting with faculty about possible cancellations of journal subscriptions.

ADDRESSING THE RISING COST OF JOURNALS
In recent years, the price of journals has increased more than 7% per year, making the acquisitions of scholarly journals one of the most daunting challenges that research universities face. Mindful of the importance of these resources to research and instruction, the University of Georgia has addressed the continuing and substantial increases in journal costs by providing funds annually to supplement the Libraries’ base budget, thus avoiding the cancellation of journal subscriptions. However, the pace of the cost increases for journals is so great that the result of just two years of inflation plus the 6% reduction has resulted in a shortfall of $1,660,000 in the Libraries’ acquisitions budget.

Because of the magnitude of the current financial situation, it is unlikely that the University will be able to provide the Libraries with FY09 supplemental funding to cover the rising cost of journal subscriptions. The University hopes to know by late October whether additional funds can be provided to the Libraries. If cancellations are required, the University will attempt to restore as many journals in future years as possible.

At this point, the Libraries do not plan to reduce the purchase of books because numbers are already down as a result of inflation. However, if the state-mandated budget reductions should exceed 6%, it is likely that book purchases would also be affected.

SEEKING INPUT
The University Libraries have prepared a list of journals that might be cancelled. A memo from Dr. William Potter, the University Librarian and Associate Provost, follows immediately below with instructions on how to access this list. Librarians will also be available to discuss the list with you. Journal cancellations would fall most heavily in the sciences where the Libraries allocate nearly 80% of the funding for subscriptions.

The loss of journal subscriptions will have an impact on research and instruction, and the fact that cancellations are being considered indicates the seriousness of the current financial situation.