Hafner A W, Podsadecki T J, Whitely W P
Division of Library and Information Management, American Medical Association, Chicago, Illinois 60610.
Bull Med Libr Assoc. 1990 Jul;78(3):217-23.
Scientific journal prices have increased markedly in the past two decades, outpacing inflation by severalfold. Such increases challenge the librarian's ability to manage acquisitions resources effectively and threaten the mission of the health sciences library as a resource for present and future scientific information needs. Explanations for serial price increases vary with the point of view considered. Publishers, librarians, faculty, and consumers of scientific information perceive the situation differently. This paper provides an economic analysis of each group's views. Particular emphasis is given to the aspects of journal publishing and pricing that foster price increases. In addition, the paper examines the problems of dual-pricing structures and narrowly focused journals that cater to subspecialties of medicine. Suggested responses to subscription rate increases are offered to curtail further increases and to avoid the potential detrimental effects of reduced library collections. Since one of the underpinnings of education is threatened by reductions in library collections, actions must be taken by publishers, librarians, faculty, and professional associations to ameliorate the present situation and to limit additional increases in serial prices.
在过去二十年中，科学期刊价格显著上涨，涨幅数倍于通货膨胀率。这种价格上涨对图书馆员有效管理采购资源的能力构成挑战，并威胁到健康科学图书馆作为满足当前和未来科学信息需求资源的使命。对连续出版物价格上涨的解释因所考虑的视角而异。科学信息的出版商、图书馆员、教师和消费者对这种情况的看法各不相同。本文对各方观点进行了经济分析。特别强调了促使价格上涨的期刊出版和定价方面。此外，本文还探讨了双重定价结构以及迎合医学亚专业的小众期刊的问题。针对订阅费率上涨提出了建议对策，以遏制进一步涨价，并避免图书馆藏书量减少可能产生的不利影响。由于教育的一项基础受到图书馆藏书量减少的威胁，出版商、图书馆员、教师和专业协会必须采取行动来改善当前状况，并限制连续出版物价格的进一步上涨。
