The University Library has adopted a policy of keeping only one print copy of journal titles where we also have an electronic copy. The policy will save both money and space, which the Library will use to strengthen its collections and services. This website describes the process that we are undertaking in order to implement the policy.

Link to Communications from Paul Courant

Why are we doing this?

Over the years, different libraries collected the same material because of cross disciplinary interest and in recognition of the need to keep materials and patrons in close proximity. Easier access to our collections as the result of electronic subscriptions and our ability to move materials between libraries have enabled us to begin a project to withdraw duplicate print titles currently housed among our 19 libraries. By reducing the number of duplicate copies we store, we free up much needed space for future collections.

Withdrawal Process

We began this process by identifying those journal titles supplied by Elsevier for which we have an electronic equivalent and which were duplicated in print by two or more libraries. We are taking a number of actions to assure that the journals that we are withdrawing are put to good use. First, we will offer several institutions an opportunity to select from our withdrawn titles to complete or improve their collections. Priority for disposition of our withdrawn titles will be given in this order: U-M Flint and Dearborn campuses, other public universities in Michigan, and other universities or non-profit organizations across the country. Those withdrawn titles that remain unclaimed will be offered to our commercial vendors who will sell the materials if possible, continue to search for other organizations to take our withdrawn titles, and, finally, recycle them if they continue to remain unclaimed. Recycling will only be undertaken as a last resort. These processes were made in collaboration with U-M Property Disposition.

Guidelines for Disposal of Duplicate Journals (pdf)

Timeline

We expect to have this initial project with Elsevier titles complete by January 2008. We will then follow Elsevier with other publishers or vendors such as the American Psychological Association, Wiley, and journals included in PubMed Central. We will continue with this process until we have reviewed all publishers with electronic backfiles and have removed the duplicate print journals while keeping one print copy in the University Library system.

Titles Under Review

We have identified those journal titles supplied by Elsevier for which we own an electronic copy and which were duplicated in print by two or more libraries.  This is the list of journal titles that are affected, with a notation of the library that is keeping the print copy, and the call number and the ISSN for that journal.

• link to Journal Duplicates List (Excel version)
• link to Journal Duplicates List (html version)

Stability of the electronic version

In this project we are focusing on titles that are supplied by Elsevier. We have negotiated "archival rights" of the electronic versions of titles from this publisher. This means that if, in the future, we cancel a subscription to a journal owned by Elsevier, we continue to maintain access to older issues online. We have also seen titles change publishers, and our access remains available for those older years as well. Archival rights to electronic subscriptions are a vital component to reducing print copies in our library system.

Please send comments to duplicate-journals@umich.edu