I find it interesting to see that the Rare Books Forum posted this item
first.  It is, of course, of great interest to those of us who have been
dealing with the Elsevier purchase of Pergamon and Pergamon's associated
price increase announcement, especially those of us in science and
engineering libraries.  Thanks to Chris Densmore, an archivist at UB,
for bringing this letter (from Princeton to Pergamon) to my attention.
Kate Herzog, Director, Science & Engineering Library, State University
of New York at Buffalo

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
To the Rare Books and Special Collections Forum:
        The following letter from Princeton  University Librarian
Donald W. Koepp was sent last week to Pergamon Press. May we all hope
for a salutary impact!
                                --Bill Joyce

                November 12, 1991

Michael  Boswood
Managing Director
Pergamon Press

Headington Hill Hall
Oxford,  OX3 OBW, UK

Dear Mr. Boswood:

        As a direct result of the astounding journal price increases
for 1992 reflected in your invoice dated September l, l992, an
unprecedented series of discussions occurred at Princeton University.
In two academic departments, there was serious and extended
consideration of cancellation of all Pergamon subscriptions.  Those
favoring such action eventually deferred to those who preferred a
less radical course.  In a later meeting involving faculty and
library staff from the six major scientific and engineering
departments there was consensus on another approach.  It was agreed
to cancel sufficient Pergamon  journals so that the total cost of
them in 1992 will be no more than the cost was in l991 plus the
percentage of inflationary increase in the allocations for each of
these department for this fiscal year.  Consequently, you will find
that almost one fourth of the journals in the September 1 invoice
have been cancelled.

        What should be of concern to you and other publishers is that
this decision was taken in an institution the administration of which
has made very concerted  efforts to increase library acquisitions
funds as the costs of publication have grown.  Ours was not a
decision taken because of absolute  financial necessity.  It
reflected, rather, a considered view that there are certain very real
limits to what should be paid for traditionally published scientific
and technical journals and that, by this year's increases, you have
exceeded those limits.

                Sincerely,

                Donald W. Koepp
                University Librarian

cc:  Association of Research Library Directors
wljoyce@firestone.princeton.edu