ICOLC Expresses Concern About Industry Mergers

[Ann Okerson <ann.okerson@yale.edu>]

(With apologies for cross-postings)

INTERNATIONAL COALITION OF LIBRARY CONSORTIA
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION - May 8, 2001

_______________________________________________________________________________


INTERNATIONAL COALITION OF LIBRARY CONSORTIA EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT
INFORMATION INDUSTRY MERGER

At a recent meeting, representatives of consortia of libraries from around
the world expressed concern at the news of yet another information
industry merger which is further concentrating control of access to
publicly-used information into a few commercial hands.  The acquisition
discussed at the meeting of the International Coalition of Library
Consortia (ICOLC) was the purchase of SilverPlatter Information by Wolters
Kluwer, a multi-national publishing company. Wolters Kluwer already own
Ovid Technologies, which provides an alternative to SilverPlatter for
library users to move from bibliographic information to the full-text of
scientific and medical literature. SilverPlatter is widely-used as a
"front-end" to numerous databases.  The ownership of two major
access-routes by the same company presents a potential threat to users of
information, particularly as the new owner may consider consolidating
software platforms and also owns substantial numbers of the full-text
journals accessed.  Monopolistic control can lead to unjustified price
increases and limited service options for users. 

The acquisition of SilverPlatter by Wolters Kluwer is part of a wider
concentration of access to information into the hands of a few giant
multi-national companies.  The acquisition of Harcourt General Inc. by
Reed Elsevier Inc. is currently being examined by regulatory authorities
in several countries.  Library organizations across the world have been
vociferous in pointing to the danger for society in such mergers.  Open
and unrestricted access to information is one of the corner-stones of
democracy, and control of access to the world's information by a few
powerful commercial interests is developing rapidly.

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About the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC)

The ICOLC first met in 1996 as the Consortium of Consortia (COC).  The
Coalition is an informal, international group that currently comprises
over 100 library consortia in North America, Europe, Australia, Israel,
China, and South Africa.  The coalition membership primarily serves higher
education institutions by facilitating discussion among consortia on
issues of common interest.  The ICOLC conducts meetings throughout the
year dedicated to keeping its members informed about new electronic
information resources, pricing practices of electronic providers and
vendors, and other issues of importance to consortia directors and
governing boards.  The Coalition also meets with the information provider
community, creating a forum for discussion about product offerings and
issues of mutual concern.  Further information about the ICOLC and its
participating consortia can be found at:
<http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia.>

*******

For further information about this statement, contact: 

Frederick J.Friend, Director Scholarly Communication, University College
London,
	Phone/fax:  020 7679 4529
	e-mail:  ucylfjf@ucl.ac.uk, OR f.friend@ucl.ac.uk

Ann Okerson, Yale Associate University Librarian & Coordinator of the NERL
Consortium of Libraries, 
	Phone:  203-432-1764
	e-mail:  ann.okerson@yale.edu

For further information about ICOLC, contact: 
	Tom Sanville, Executive Director, OhioLINK. Columbus, OH. 
	Phone: 614-728-3600, ext. 322.
	Fax: 614-728-3610
	E-mail: tom@ohiolink.edu

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