Actually… in the journal world and in the database world, many vendors *do* distinguish based on FTE or based on usage (which, in effect, brings institutional size into the equation). Our Periodicals Manager said Royal Society of Chemistry, JSTOR, and etc. absolutely do look at FTE when giving us a quote and/or end up charging us significantly less than our neighbors at Purdue or IU because our usage is so much lower.
There is also something called the Carnegie Classification which is oft-used in the journal realm that DOES look at type of institution, size & setting, etc. It’s very possible to establish pricing based upon these kinds of factors. Here, for instance, are the Carnegie breakdowns for size & setting: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/descriptions/size_setting.php I am actually not opposed to paying a higher institutional rate than an individual pays; however, I do object to the TYPE of tiering that most video distributors used, which tends to be based solely upon status of “college or university” instead of upon size. I mean, c’mon - 875 FTE vs. 35,000 FTE? Since most distributors do *not* look at size & setting, I do feel the need to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase DVDs at home use rights level when they’re available from Amazon, Midwest Tape, DVDPlanet, or other. I see no dishonor in that. Susan, who’ll try to shut up now From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Anthony Anderson Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 12:26 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Videolib] A Distributor's Response I wonder how many media librarians working in academia are aware of the fact that many journal subscriptions are also subject to the same tiered pricing as is the distribution of documentary films. For example: Families in Society (annual subscription) * Individual: $65 * Non-profit agency: $286 * Institution: $315 Psychotherapy (annual subscription) * Individual: $142 * Institution: $425 Chinese Education & Society (annual subscription) * Individual: $149 * Institution: $1462 (paper and electronic) These examples are very much the norm and not the examples. And as far as I know, the same institutional rate is applied to all academic institutions--regardless if they are junior colleges, small liberal colleges, or large universities. Just some more food for thought (or...um ...contention.)
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
