The current draft of this lives here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nbhdmDZs2Vzy04BvBXTLbIe5R0LVMvcOxUz81abJ8_w/edit?usp=sharing
2CUL has seen some success negotiating together for resource purchases, approval plans, and technical service services. In an effort to build on this success, it is important to prioritize consortial negotiation where possible.
Particularly for newly available resources or renewals for content that is likely to be a long term commitment for both institutions.
Principles:
Communication - It is important for relevant parties to know about any 2CUL joint licensing and purchase discussions as early in the process as possible.
Negotiable terms:
- Length of term of the agreement – multiple year agreements can typically lock in better pricing, lower annual increases, and/or additional content.
- Multiple purchase – Both partners purchasing the materials at the same time saves the vendor time and effort in negotiation. They may be willing to pass that on as savings and/or preferable terms to the institutions.
Whenever possible, selectors should consult with their 2CUL counterparts to gauge interest in joint approval plans, purchases or licensing.
Selector lists:
Columbia: http://library.columbia.edu/about/policies/collection-development/liaisons.html
Cornell: https://www.library.cornell.edu/about/collections/selectors
Additionally, licensing and acquisitions staff should keep informed of each others purchasing plans to potentially collaborate with vendor negotiation. 2CUL e-resources and collection development staff should develop guidelines for joint licensing to streamline the negotiating process for joint purchases.
Technical Services: (Catalog Records, shelf ready processing, approval processing). Locking two large institutions into an agreement may get us better pricing or service agreements. It could be possible for one staff member from 2CUL to negotiate the service terms for the partnership or test the potential outcomes, rather than performing these duties redundantly at each institution. This will require a commitment to cooperation and a set of guidelines that can satisfy both partner’s requirements for services. The goals of any joint agreements should be to secure lower overall service fees and/or preferable terms of service.
Some examples of savings or benefits seen so far: https://confluence.cornell.edu/x/1oULEg