Electronic Resource Subscriptions: Cancellations & Additions

The financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on The University of Toledo resulted in significant budget cuts across all colleges and departments for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 (July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021). Unfortunately, University Libraries was no exception. In addition to operating budget and staffing cuts, the Libraries' electronic resources subscription budget was reduced by 14% from the previous fiscal year. Total subscription expenditures for FY20-21 were $2,966,891, down from $3,453,726 in FY19-20. All subscription expenditures were for electronic resources. (University Libraries no longer subscribes to any print journals or indexes.)

After taking annual subscription inflation into account, the initial cancellation estimation was $550,000. However, the final amount was substantially less though still significant: $400,504. This was because many publishers kept their prices flat or annual increases lower than usual due to recognition of the severe economic impact of COVID-19 on higher education. In addition, OhioLINK was able to successfully renegotiate a number of existing agreements with publishers that reduced members' anticipated cost-sharing amounts for FY20-21.

All FY20/21 cancellations were for local (i.e., non-OhioLINK) products. See "Cancellations" box below for a list of all cancelled resources. The Libraries' Collection Services Unit and librarian subject specialists made every attempt possible to retain core essential resources in all of the academic disciplines that need the Libraries' support. Regretfully, however, UToledo users lost access to a substantial number of important and unique information resources.

OhioLINK added several new resources at the beginning of calendar year 2021, thanks to a one-time award of $2.5 million from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. GEER was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by the U.S. Congress in March 2020. (Note: OhioLINK received a second round of GEER funding in October 2022.)  See "Additions" box at the bottom of this guide for a list of all resources added in FY20/21.

Please direct any questions or comments you may have regarding the Libraries' electronic resource subscriptions or decisions to add/cancel products to eresources@utoledo.edu. 

(Last updated: 11/29/22)

(Last updated: 11/29/22)

(Last updated: 11/29/22)