Normally a face-to-face event, the MCLS 2020 Spring eResources Meeting went virtual this year. Academic librarians gathered via Zoom on Friday, April 17 for the annual meeting to review upcoming multi-year eResource renewals. The day-long event featured morning presentations by Clarivate Analytics (Web of Science) and SpringerNature (SpringerLink), where renewal details and product updates were provided. Librarians shared the budget uncertainties they face and underscored the need for vendors to keep price increases flat or to a minimum. MCLS staff gave an update on Group Purchasing activity over the past year and addressed the availability of resources to support libraries during the current COVID-19 crisis. Scott Garrison, MCLS Executive Director, outlined the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) “Statement on the Global COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Library Services and Resources.” ICOLC’s listing of vendor accommodations during the COVID-19 crisis was also highlighted.
In the afternoon, the meeting focus shifted to open access opportunities and included an overview of Reveal Digital and Unpaywall, potential new MCLS partners. Reveal Digital, an Ann Arbor-based nonprofit, works with libraries to digitize special collections and make them available through the JSTOR platform. Reveal Digital uses a cost-recovery model where libraries contribute funds to help make collections open access once costs are covered. Several MCLS libraries are involved in this effort, including Calvin University, Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Indiana University, Kalamazoo College, Michigan State University, Oakland University, Purdue University, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University.
Unpaywall, a Canadian nonprofit, concluded the day with their presentation, outlining the product and giving a live demonstration of its capability. Unpaywall helps libraries understand their eJournal usage and connects it to the availability of open access resources. By harvesting content directly from over 50,000 journals and open access repositories from all over the world, Unpaywall assists libraries in more thoroughly understanding their use of eJournals and effectively guiding purchasing decisions.
While the networking opportunities of a face-to-face meeting were missed, gathering virtually worked well and demonstrated the power of technology to keep libraries connected during the COVID-19 crisis. Contact Stephanie Davis, Group Purchasing Manager, at daviss@mcls.org for more information about the topics covered at the MCLS Spring eResources Meeting.
