An initiative for dealing positively with problematic publishing policies

Citation

Fitzsimons, E. (2004), "An initiative for dealing positively with problematic publishing policies", The Bottom Line, Vol. 17 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/bl.2004.17017aab.002

An initiative for dealing positively with problematic publishing policies

An initiative for dealing positively with problematic publishing policies

The Medical Library Association (MLA) has taken a positive step to help members deal with problematic publishing policies. Publishers are some of the librarian's friends, but there are times when their policies or practices compromise the library's ability to provide access to current and high-quality resources. Sometimes the concerns are limited to a specific situation or a contract for one institution or consortia. But often changes in subscription or licensing terms can have far-reaching effects on library services. MLA has noted that when members contact the association's headquarters with a concern about publishing policies, they are often policies that have an impact on access to information resources throughout the health sciences library community.

To deal with such policies, the association can contact publishers and let them know that librarians have concerns about their approaches to subscriptions and licenses and suggest that they consider some alternative approaches. When a member contacts the MLA headquarters, the president investigates the issue. If it appears that the issue will have a broad impact on libraries and is of general concern, the president will sends a letter to that publisher(s). The letter is posted on the MLA Web site, so that members who want to contact a publisher directly can use it as a model for their own letters.

Librarians in other libraries or in other associations might want to check the Web site for ideas for discussing publishing policy in a constructive and organized way.

Eileen FitzsimonsFitzsimons Editorial ConsultantsChicago, IL, USA