The Big Squeeze: State of Book Publishing and Academic Libraries

Abstract

In 2014, the University of Michigan Business School Library (Kresge Business Administration Library) emptied its shelves of books in a project that will forever change library support for the school’s research needs. No longer will the library be format agnostic in acquiring resources; only online resources will be purchased. How did this happen and what does it mean for the future of the library? More importantly, what may this suggest for other libraries? What does this mean for the future of publishers and vendors? If the library is not going to buy any print books, then the rationale of current models is seriously challenged if not entirely inadequate.

Publishers and libraries operate under fiscal and physical conditions that drive them further and further from mutually beneficial arrangements towards ones which are not sustainable nor good for either side. Gone are the days when we thought first and foremost about a quality item that would stand the test of time on our shelves. Instead, we are interested only in our immediate value and extracting value from others in the Information Supply Chain (or circle as many would argue).

With these changes on nearly every participant in the scholarly communication space, it is very clear that we are all being squeezed in a tight spot. This session will seek to identify and potentially find a common path where we can build a future that works for everyone. Leading the discussion will be a library director dealing with severe restrictions, a Sales Director from an academic publisher (also specializing in Business), and a representative from a major academic library book distributor Each party will provide a view from their desk that showcases a way that we might find some much needed breathing room in an increasingly small space. We hope you’ll join us for what we’re sure will be a very lively discussion.