OWNERSHIP VERSUS ACCESS AND LOW-USE PERIODICAL TITLES

The question of the cost-effectiveness of ownership versus access to s erials is explored using data collected during a local periodicals use study and data from the Association of Research Libraries/Research Li braries Group Cost Study. Analysis revealed that if a periodical is us ed fewer than five times per year in a given library, it is generally more cost-effective to rely on access, even if the subscription cost i s modest. If total in-house use is ten times per year or more, the cos t-effectiveness of relying art access rather than ownership is distrib uted unevenly across subject disciplines. An examination of the availa bility of the group of low-use titles through interlibrary loan and co mmercial document delivery indicates general availability at the prese nt time. The impact of periodical cancellations on users' needs is als o discussed.