In a blog post on August 16, 2017, longtime ASERL partner Roger Schonfeld of Ithaka S+R proffered a draft model for ways research libraries could design and undertake new processes to better support their licensing activities, seeking support from others within the library, the faculty they serve, and other units within the institution. The basic tenet is for libraries to define criteria for assigning which content providers provide good value for the dollars they command in licensing fees, and a system of assigning a red-yellow-green moniker for those who provide poor-fair-good value or are otherwise problematic to the library and its users.
In this session, Roger walks though his conceptual model, and ask for audience input to identify strengths and challenges. John Ulmschneider (University Librarian, Virginia Commonwealth University) contributes his perspective on how such a model can support the work of research libraries and invite participation from others within the university community. Ideally one or more ASERL libraries will be willing to serve as alpha testers for this model in the foreseeable future. We conclude the discussion with identifying other challenges faced by libraries continuing to struggle with licensing issues, and opportunities that could mitigate some of those difficulties.
See sr.ithaka.org/publications/red-light-green-light-licensing/ for the original blog post.
