Re: Print-Only Subscription Trend

[Neil Renison <neil.renison@jcu.edu.au>]

Hello Kim,

Factors might include:

* Inertia
* Price differential between Duke print or online is small, so no cost
  incentive for e-only option
* Price differential for Duke print plus online is significant , so a
  cost disincentive applies
* License issues for multi-campus institutions.  I know from experience
  that Duke University Press can be very reasonable about this,
  but it may deter subscribers or be a factor that agents don't
  want to (or can't) deal with.  It's another matter to deal with
  anyway.
* Print copy may be perceived as more secure for long term preservation
  and access.
* Humanities and Social Sciences seem less ready to take up e-only and
  less dependent on immediate access to new research.

I could only make a guess as to which of the above have greater 
impact. It may be just the least justifiable reason, inertia.

*******************************************************
Neil Renison - Librarian (Acquisitions Services)
Information Resources
James Cook University
Townsville QLD 4811 Australia.
Email: Neil.Renison@jcu.edu.au
Phone: (07) 4781 5073    Fax: (07) 4781 5886
*******************************************************