Negotiating with scientific publishers: a new experience for the Italian astronomical libraries

In 2016, Italian Astronomical Libraries decided not to renew their subscriptions to electronic journals directly with the most important scientific publishers but to adhere, wherever possible, to the negotiating activities conducted by CARE, a coordinating group inside the Libraries Commission, of the Conference of  Italian University Rectors (CRUI), the Italian association of state and private universities. Participating in a consortium could have meant better economic conditions for INAF and more favourable contract terms for the final user.

INAF is  one of the few scientific research istitutes to participate in this consortium formed mainly by universities. While it is beneficial from many points of view for the universities to sign contracts with the publishers for multidisciplinary packages, for the research institutions focusing on single disciplines (i.e. astronomy and astrophysics) the collective negotiation can present specific problems.

In the poster, we consider the advantages and the disadvantages of direct negotiations with the publishers or of participation in a large consortium.