Hi, Tracey

Normally, I would reply off-list, but then I see responses from others, and sometimes they are interesting.

Anyhow, we still keep the databases and the serials on different budget lines.  It helps me, particularly, when I am trying to estimate budget needs for the next year.  Databases tend to increase in price by 6%, in my experience, while print serials (mostly journals) tend to increase by at least 8-9%.  There are, to be sure, deviations on both sides.

Aside from the budgeting, I find it generally easier to track our subscription renewals when the two categories are separate.

Sarah Tusa, Associate Professor

Coordinator of Collection Development & Acquisitions

Mary & John Gray Library, Lamar University

PO Box 10021

Beaumont, TX  77710-0021

Ph:   409/880-8125

Fax: 409/880-8225

From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Thompson,Tracey
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 11:20 AM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Budget Lines for Serials, Databases, and other Electronic Resources

Hello,

We are restricting our budget, and I have a question for you.  Does anyone combine the budget lines for serials and databases into one category such as continuing resources, or do you separate it out? What do you find are the benefits and drawback for each?

Thank you.

Tracey Thompson
Acquisitions Librarian/College Asst. Professor
New Mexico State University Library
MSC 3475 PO Box 30006
Las Cruces, NM 88003

Phone: 575-646-8093
Fax: 575-646-7077
Skype: Jenymn
SL: Jenymn Mersand
Email: thomtd@nmsu.edu