ICOLC Statement on AAAS-Science Dropping JSTOR Relationship

["Ann Okerson" <aokerson@gmail.com>]

See this document at:
<http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia/ICOLC-AAAS-JSTOR-resolution.doc>

Statement Concerning the Decision by the American Association for 
the Advancement of Science to Discontinue its Relationship with 
JSTOR October 30, 2007

With the endorsement of 72 consortia from around the world (see 
list page 2), this document reflects the ICOLC's position 
concerning the recent decision by the American Association for 
the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to discontinue its 
participation in JSTOR.

The ICOLC strongly objects to the recent decision by the American 
Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to discontinue 
its participation in JSTOR, including withholding future issues 
of its premier publication, Science, from the JSTOR archive and 
prohibiting JSTOR from making issues of Science currently held in 
the archive available to new JSTOR participants.

JSTOR has been a singular success in meeting the needs of 
students, scholars, librarians, and publishers.  JSTOR offers a 
robust platform for cross-disciplinary discovery and integration 
of content that extends the multi-disciplinary reach of Science 
to students and faculty, including those in non-scientific 
disciplines. In addition, JSTOR offers to publishers a moving 
wall policy that protects their ability to obtain current 
subscription revenue to support ongoing publication.

Science is an outstanding source of high-quality, vetted 
information covering all areas of science, the inclusion of which 
enhances the value, breadth, and quality of the JSTOR archive. 
The decision to discontinue participation in JSTOR is in conflict 
with AAAS' mission, as a non-profit, membership-based 
organization, of advancing science and serving society. 
Withholding future issues of Science from JSTOR, and prohibiting 
JSTOR from making previously archived Science content available 
to future JSTOR participants, is an action which diminishes the 
value and contribution of both AAAS and JSTOR to the 
international community of researchers, the academy, and society.

The undersigned members of the International Coalition of Library 
Consortia express to AAAS their strong disapproval of the 
decision to discontinue participation of Science in JSTOR, and 
emphatically urge AAAS to reconsider its decision in light of the 
damage such action would bring to the mission and purpose of 
AAAS.

[SNIP]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS STATEMENT, PLEASE CONTACT:

Ivy Anderson, Director, Collections, California Digital Library, 
University of California, Office of the President, 510-987-0334, 
ivy.anderson@ucop.edu

Ann Okerson, NERL Coordinator, Yale University, 203-432-1764, 
ann.okerson@yale.edu

Diane Costello, Executive Officer, CAUL (Council of Australian 
University Librarians), +61 2 6125 2990, 
diane.costello@caul.edu.au

About the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC)

The International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) has been 
in existence since 1996.  The Coalition is an international, 
informal group currently comprising approximately 200 library 
consortia in North and South America, Europe, Australia, Asia, 
and Africa.  The member consortia serve all types and sizes of 
libraries.  ICOLC facilitates discussion among consortia on 
issues of common interest, and conducts one meeting per year in 
North America and one meeting per year in Europe.  The 
organization is dedicated to keeping its members informed about 
electronic information resources, pricing practices of electronic 
publishers and vendors, and other issues of importance to 
consortium directors and governing boards.  The Coalition also 
meets with the information provider community to discuss product 
offerings and issues of mutual concern.

More information about ICOLC can be found at
http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia or contact Tom Sanville,
Executive Director, OhioLINK, Suite 300, 2455 North Star Road,
Columbus, OH 43221, Phone: 614-728-3600, ext. 322; tom@ohiolink.edu