Okay, I'm lost.  I have not heard of this guaranteed rate program from
Ebsco and we use Ebsco.  What is it and how does it work?  Do you have to
renew all journals in order to do it?

Thanks.

Barbara M. Pope, MALS
Periodicals/Reference Librarian
Axe Library
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg KS  66762
620-235-4884
bpope@pittstate.edu

> At Univ of RI it has depended on staffing levels. We went WITHOUT the
> guaranteed rate program for a year, and it was okay, but definitely more
> invoices and pesky postings to our Innovative system. We lost two staff
> and
> switched back to the guaranteed rate program the following year.
>
> Our EBSCO rep also gave us the following consideration: If EBSCO invoices
> you really late, like in mid to late December (as sometimes happens), then
> the guaranteed rate is less helpful, since most publishers have their
> prices
> set for the following year by that time.
>
> However, if EBSCO invoices you in early fall, then it is quite likely
> prices
> will change a lot before the January subscription year starts, so the
> guaranteed rate is a better bet.
>
> Hope this helps,
> andree
>
> On Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 12:14 PM, Diane Faust <DFaust@pts.edu> wrote:
>
>>  I'm wondering if most libraries are still using the Guarenteed Rate
>> Program which EBSCO introduced more than 10 years ago.  According to
>> EBSCO
>> "an additional percentage charge will be added to the publishers' price
>> for
>> * each title* on a line by line basis".  I realize that it's a huge time
>> saver, for both the library and the vendor, to eliminate supplemental
>> billling for rate adjustments.  My question is, are enough titles on a
>> renewal list impacted with a rate increase for this service to make good
>> financial sense?  The fee established by EBSCO are thought to be approx.
>> one
>> percentage point below the actual total price.  Does this seem about
>> right?
>> Does anyone have a sense of a "breakeven" point that makes this program
>> worthwhile for them?
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Diane M. Faust
>> Clifford E. Barbour Library
>> Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
>> 616 North Highland Avenue
>> Pittsburgh,  PA  15206
>> 412-441-3304 x2179
>> dfaust@pts.edu
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Andree Rathemacher
> Associate Professor
> Head, Serials Unit / Electronic Resources Librarian
> University Libraries, University of Rhode Island
> 15 Lippitt Road
> Kingston, RI  02881-2011
> work: (401) 874-5096
> fax: (401) 874-4588
> e-mail: andree@uri.edu
> e-mail: andree.rathemacher@gmail.com
> http://www.uri.edu/library/
>