NCompass Live - Sept. 9, 2020
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/ncompasslive/
If you're a Nebraska librarian and you aren't aware of discount opportunities available through the Nebraska Library Commission, then this episode of NCompass Live is for you! Susan Knisely, Online Services Librarian at the Nebraska Library Commission, will talk about discounts on database subscriptions, books, supplies, and conferences, and clue you in on how you can not only find this information on our website, but also, in many cases, have it delivered to your inbox! If you don't already know about these savings opportunities, this is an episode you can't afford to miss!
1. DISCOUNT SHOPPING WITH THE NEBRASKA
LIBRARY COMMISSION
NCompass Live – September 9, 2020
Susan Knisely
Technology & Access Services Department
Nebraska Library Commission
2. OUR MISSION
The mission of the Nebraska Library Commission is statewide
promotion, development, and coordination of library and
information services.
As the state library agency, the Commission is an advocate for the
library and information service needs of all Nebraskans.
3. HISTORY
Summer 1995
NLC Steering Committee discusses possibility of offering a statewide
FirstSearch database trial; identifies FirstSearch as a service that would
further NLC’s mission.
FirstSearch Trial
February 1 through April 30, 1996 (155 libraries participated).
N3 Nebraska Library Commission Network Services News, July/August 1996 vol. 2 no.4
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/Publications/archives/N3/n3ja96.asp
4. DISCOUNT PURCHASING PROGRAM
Databases & eResources
Books & Supplies
Conferences
Helping you stretch your scarce
dollars through discounts, group
purchases, and cost sharing!
6. DATABASES & ERESOURCES
Standard percentage discounts
Anywhere from 5% to 25% off list price
Special tiered pricing geared to small Nebraska libraries
Discounts contingent on # of participating libraries
1-5 new subscribers = 5% discount
6-10 new subscribers = 10% discount
11-15 new subscribers = 15% discount
Discounts through other library networks
Project Muse, LexisNexis (LYRASIS); ACM Digital Library (Minitex)
Price quote based on pooled pop. served; allocation up to NLC
7. DATABASE DISCOUNT DETAILS
Discounted pricing published on website if allowed by vendor
Centralized billing if more than one library subscribes
Vendor invoices NLC; NLC pays vendor
NLC invoices libraries; libraries pay NLC
Subscription terms
July 1 through June 30 / January 1 through December 31
Prorated mid-term subscriptions available in some cases
Entire discount passed on to libraries
8. DATABASE SUBSCRIPTIONS BY THE NUMBERS
From July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 we processed:
443 individual subscriptions
for 147 unique databases
on behalf of 124 libraries
for a total of $2,421,361.11
9. DISCOUNTS ON BOOKS & SUPPLIES
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/discounts/discount.aspx
10. DISCOUNTS ON BOOKS & SUPPLIES
Vendors typically approach us with offers for “our members.”
Transactions occur directly between library and vendor
Annual renewal vs. ongoing discounts
Discount or promotional codes
11. DISCOUNTS ON CONFERENCES
The following Information Today conferences offer discounted rates
to Nebraska libraries through NLC:
Computers in Libraries (e.g. $359 vs. $549)
Internet Librarian
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/discounts/confdiscounts.aspx
12. STAYING INFORMED
TRIAL Mailing List
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/lists/
NCompass Blog
http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/nlcblog/
Discounts on Databases & eResources
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/discounts/index.aspx
Discounts on Books & Supplies
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/discounts/discount.aspx
Discounts on Conferences
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/discounts/confdiscounts.aspx
13. CONTACTS
Devra Dragos
Technology & Access Services Director / 402-471-4335 / devra.dragos@nebraska.gov
Susan Knisely***
Online Services Librarian
402-471-3849 / susan.knisely@nebraska.gov
Jennifer Wrampe‡
Staff Assistant
402-471-4008 / jennifer.Wrampe@nebraska.gov
*** When in doubt, call Susan!
‡ Billing questions
Editor's Notes
Start with our mission statement – because Discount Program directly supports it.
Read…
One of the biggest challenges faced by Nebraska libraries is funding, tight budgets, trying to get as big a bang for your buck as possible.
We do what we can to help libraries overcome that challenge. That means -- Anything we can do centrally to make your jobs easier is something we want to pursue.
Also, we have many small, independent libraries in Nebraska. Our definition of small is different than the vendors’ definitions of small… (small = libraries w/population served < 20,000!)
One way we advocate for libraries in Nebraska is by constantly striving to educate vendors about what a small library and a small library budget looks like in Nebraska. (e.g., census data, school district data).
Since its inception, the Discount Purchasing Program has had three main components:
Discounts on database and eResource subscriptions – most widely known, takes most time
Discounts on the cost of books/supplies
Discounts on conference registration fees.
I have a good sense of how many libraries take advantage of the discounts on databases/eResources, but not as much of a feel for usage or awareness of discounts on books/supplies and conferences, because they don’t require direct intervention on our part once the information is out there.
This slide shows a screenshot (and the URL) of our Discounts on Databases & eResources Index page.
Switch to live version of page…
List cross-referenced by vendor and database names. One challenge database name/ownership changes
Gives an overview of products we have discounts on and vendors we have working relationships with. As such, particularly helpful for librarians new to state.
Go to vendor page (Britannica) to give overview of types of information included:
Database names and descriptions
Pricing information (if vendor okay with it being publicly available)
Subscription terms/deadlines
How to order
Tech support contacts
Usage statistics
Links to licensing terms/agreements
EBSCO always offers Nebraska libraries at least a 5% discount on subscriptions, but they also periodically offer database trials and promotional discounts on specific products that they want to drum up interest in.
ProQuest recently sent a list of products they’ll offer to Nebraska libraries at a 10% discount, with the possibility of discounts on other products upon request.
Special Tiers – example: SIRS pricing for schools serving < 300 students.
Discounts contingent on # of participating libraries – difficult to get enough libraries to subscribe to same product. Also, discount can be vulnerable if participants don’t renew (depends on vendor).
Next component of program – Discounts on Books/Supplies
Not as many people as aware of these discounts. Show shortcut links at top of other Discount pages.
Go to Discounts on Books & Supplies page.
Different than database discounts in that these are physical items you purchase. Everything from books and book processing supplies, to barcode labels to bags/banners.
Offer discounts to “Members.” This means Nebraska libraries to us, but some offers are limited to a specific market, e.g., public libraries.
Books – Baker & Taylor / Gumdrop Books / Ingram
Library Supplies – Demco / Brodart / The LibraryStore
Discount Codes
Expiration Dates
Less involvement on my part.