This study – based on data and commentary from 80 academic library deans and directors -- helps its readers to answer questions such as: what database subscriptions are academic libraries thinking of adding? Dropping? What have been trends over the past few years in spending on database content subscriptions and what is the outlook for the near future? How satisfied are librarians with the tools they have to assess the level of use and patron satisfaction with the library’s database subscriptions. How extensively are libraries using free trials for potential new subscriptions? Has the role of consortia in database licensing by libraries been increasing, declining or remaining at about the same level? How have libraries altered their database offerings over the past three years and what are their plans for the future?
Just a few of the report’s many findings are that:
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Mean spending on electronic content database subscriptions by the libraries on the sample in 2020 is expected to increase by 2.2% in nominal terms (roughly flat in real terms) from spending in 2019.
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Across the entire sample, 52.50% of respondents reported being either satisfied or very satisfied with the quality and comprehensiveness of database patron use and assessment data available to them.
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For institutions with fewer than 1,300 enrolled students, the lowest quartile in the sample, consortia negotiated contracts accounted for two thirds of all of their database contracts.
Data and commentary from 80 academic libraries used the 53-page report is broken out by size and type of institution, by tuition level, for public and private institutions and by other useful variables