Why are library resources being cancelled?

Due to budget constraints, CSU Libraries is undertaking a review of library resources with the goal of reducing costs while maintaining access to materials critical for teaching, learning, and research. All library resources are being carefully considered for possible reductions, including book purchases, subscriptions to databases and journals, audiovisual media, and more. Decisions on which resources to continue and which to cancel will take place throughout the year.

Evaluation Criteria

During the evaluation process, multiple factors are considered in relation to each resource, and care is taken to retain, as much as possible, resources important for each area of study and research at CSU. Evaluation criteria include, but are not limited to:

• Usage
• Price
• Amount of content overlap with other resources
• Relevance to disciplinary and campus needs
• User interface functionality
• Licensing terms

Cancelled Resources

Materials that have been identified for cancellation are listed below. Each resource will become unavailable to the CSU community on a date determined by the expiration of current contracts. This list will be updated as decisions are confirmed.

• BioMed Central
• Bloomberg Tax: Research
• Compendex
• DSM-5 Library, American Psychiatric Publishing (alternate access to the DSM-5 is available)
• Emerald journals package
• Mergent Intellect 
• RILM Abstracts of Music Literature with Full Text
• RILM Music Encyclopedias
• Royal Society of Medicine journals package
• Textile 4.0: Digitalising the Textile Value Chain

Additional cost reduction measures include scaling back evidence-based acquisition programs for ebooks, reducing the number of simultaneous users for databases where appropriate, placing selected purchase plans for print books on hold, and cancelling duplicative or seldom-used print standing orders, among other approaches.

Alternatives and Access Options for Cancelled Resources

Accessing Articles from Cancelled Journals:

• Interlibrary Loan – Materials that the library does not own or subscribe to can be ordered through Interlibrary Loan, a free service for CSU faculty, staff, and students. Use the request option from within library resources or from the linked page.
• LibKey Nomad Browser Extension – This plug-in provides access to CSU Libraries’ e-journal subscriptions and works on many publisher websites. Select Colorado State University as your institution and look for the LibKey Nomad button. If you encounter an article that CSU does not subscribe to, use the “Access Options” icon to get the article for free.

Alternatives for Cancelled Databases:

• A-Z Database List – Find all of the databases available through CSU Libraries. Browse by title using the alphabetical list or by topic using the Subjects drop down box.

Additional Options:

• Use your RamCard at the Public Library – CSU faculty, staff, and students can access online resources and borrow physical materials from the Poudre River Public Library.

Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns about the resource evaluation and cancellation process, please contact Heidi Splittgerber, Interim Head of Collection Strategies, Heidi.Splittgerber@colostate.edu. 

If you would like assistance identifying alternative resources or using library materials, please contact the library for personal research help.