Re: query about the Big Deal

[kathy.strube@aurora.org]

I still use them, am happy with them, and feel I've negotiated 
good prices for my consortia of a dozen not-for-profit health 
care systems  My stats show use is down slightly over a few years 
ago (UptoDate??)  People have quick access to most articles they 
need from the Library web site  Our Interlibrary Loan costs have 
dropped dramatically

Kathy Strube Aurora Health Care
Director, Aurora Libraries
2901 W Kinnickinnic River Pkwy, HS Bldg 1,
Milwaukee, WI 53215

Joe Esposito wrote:

I have been in a number of conversations the past few months 
about Big Deals, in which I have been told such things as "The 
Big Deal is over," "Everyone is cancelling the Big Deal," and 
"Unless the prices come down, we will withdraw from the Big 
Deals"  Has anyone documented what is actually going on?  I would 
be very interested to hear of specific actions, whether on-list 
or off

I suppose that this query runs into the question of definitions: 
What exactly is a Big Deal anyway?  Does the term apply to all 
aggregations or only those of a specific character?

This query is made without judging the actions or the Big Deals 
themselves  I simply want to understand the phenomenon and to 
determine if there is a gap between rhetoric and reality

Thank you

Joe Esposito