Last updated: 9/24/08
Serials by Fund Code Fall 2008 At the University Library

Below is a list of the University Library’s fund codes for periodical subscriptions. Clicking on the code will allow you to download a Microsoft Word file with a list of subscriptions charged to that fund. Below the chart are details on the methodology of our upcoming FY09 serials cut.

** Note: ZZWP total has been adjusted to reflect actual annual spending. Added: ZZWP prepay to HELIN in 06/07. Subtracted: Cost of one-time backfile collections purchased 4/08 and HELIN prepay for 08/09.

Serials Cut 2008

1. The Dean of Libraries, in consultation with Library managers, has identified a dollar amount by which our serials subscriptions need to be reduced in order to meet budget reductions.

2. He has stated that cancellations should primarily target print journals, because they are used less than online journals.

3. At this point in time, he has also decided that reference databases and electronic journal packages will not be targeted.

4. He has also determined that endowment spending on serials will not be reduced.

5. Finally, he has identified a dollar amount by which subscriptions must be reduced. This is $400,000.

6. To divide the cut equally between all subject areas, we must determine the amount of money that each subject selector needs to cut based on the percentage of materials subject to cancellation that $400,000 represents.

[Of course, the cut will still not affect all subject areas equally, because those subject areas whose journals are more likely to be in e-journal packages will be affected less in the final analysis.]

To arrive at a percentage, $400,000 must be divided by the total amount of serials expenditures LESS zzwp (which represents reference databases and journal packages) and LESS the endowment funds. This results in $400,000 / $1,095,458.62 = 36.5%

Thus, each subject selector, in consultation with departmental faculty, must reduce the amount charged to each of their funds codes by 36.5%.

7. The following clarifications apply:

a) This 36.5% reduction applies also to the branches. However, Pell can pool their titles in PELP and PEEP and cut a total amount of ($100,373.56 + $33,309.56) x 36.5% = $48,794. Thus, 36.5% does not necessarily have to come from each fund as long as the total amount cut is 36.5% of the combined fund expenditures.

b) Since endowment expenditures do not need to be cut, subject selectors can shift titles they want to save from a subject fund to a related endowment fund as long as the total endowment expenditures do not increase. To state it differently, you can do a revenue-neutral drop-add within each endowment fund. Any titles switching from a subject fund to an endowment fund must be clearly identified to the Serials Librarian so that we can ensure that the titles are paid from the endowment.

c) Print should be targeted for cancellation. As long as the total reduction amount for a fund is met, print titles can be converted to online (if available). In some cases it might be preferable to cancel online-only subscriptions over print (e.g. JAMA).

For more information, please contact Head of Acquisitions Andrée Rathemacher (401) 874-5096 or andree@uri.edu.