The librarians' dilemma. Contemplating the costs of the „Big Deal"

Abstract

Subscnption for large electronic journal packages of major publishers could be seen advantageous in the short term for libraries. However, long-term practices have several drawbacks üke the following: intensive loyality, i.e. forced persistence to the package and its provider; the elimination of inter-mediaries (distributors, editors etc); in summary. the increasing defencelessness of libraries falling to the „Big Deal". Several players of the scientific communication chain try to avoid the grip of publishers dominating an ever growing proportion of the markét by establishing free Internet forums or by dictating individual business conditions.