Library Periodicals Expenses Comparison of Non-Subscription Costs of Print and Electronic Formats on a Life-Cycle Basis

Abstract

What are the implications of the transition to electronic periodicals on non-subscription library expenditures, such as those required to select, accession, catalog and provide ongoing access and services? New data on staff activities and costs were collected from eleven US academic libraries, and a life-cycle analysis was utilized to study the longer-term cost implications of the transition. We find that, on a per-title basis, the nonsubscription costs of the electronic format are
consistently and substantially lower than those of the print format. We conclude by considering the
implications of the transition to electronic formats— and the consequent favourable cost differentials—on long-term preservation.