Hi, David and Lori.

ProQuest One Business is definitely a database we rely on, given the needs
of our Business programs.  The academic libraries have already banded
together to keep Academic Search Complete when it was dropped from the
Digital Maine Library some years ago.  And the discontinuation of the
Business Source Complete database at the same time was a hard hit for us,
as well.  I know some of the academics (including Husson) had to scramble
to pick up BSC individually at the last minute given how our programs
depend on its content.  I certainly understand financial constraints, but
having this cut come out of the blue like this when we all likely have no
way to respond before the database disappears is a bit of a deja vu gut
punch.

Given that we're all on the same team here, is there something that could
be done to buy us some time to try to figure this out?  Lori - could the
MSL consider (afford?) maybe a six month subscription to ProQuest One
Business?

Shelly

*Shelly Davis, MLIS* | University Librarian
*she/her/hers*
*HUSSON UNIVERSITY *
Sawyer Library | 1 College Circle | Bangor, ME 04401
*O* 207.941.7187 | [log in to unmask]



On Fri, Jun 9, 2023 at 11:21 AM David Smith <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Academic Librarians, is there enough interest/usage at your institutions
> to consider pitching in to keep ProQuest One Business?
>
> Lori, what is the current annual cost for One Business?
>
> David O. Smith
> Associate Director of Library Services
>
> 180 W River Rd, Waterville, ME 04901
> (207) 859-1235
> [log in to unmask]
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Maine Libraries Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> On
> Behalf Of Fisher, Lori
> Sent: Friday, June 9, 2023 10:53 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [MELIBS-L] Pronunciator & ProQuest One Business
>
> CAUTION: This email originated from an External Source. Please use proper
> judgment and caution when opening attachments, clicking links, or
> responding to this email.
>
> The Maine State Library (MSL) pays for a number of databases that are
> available through the Digital Maine platform. Many of these databases are
> up for renewal on July 1st. Given that MSL's FY24 budget is currently
> flat-funded to FY23 levels, yet database costs have increased between FY23
> and FY24, staff here have been assessing statistics and prioritizing what
> content must be kept. The state's biennium budget is not finalized, and we
> do not know for sure if MSL will receive the additional $250,000 in
> e-content monies we have asked for in the budget for both FY24 and FY25 to
> support Digital Maine. As State Librarian, I will not renew a service if I
> do not know how MSL will pay for it.
>
> Therefore, the two databases that will not be renewed on July 1st are
> Pronunciator and ProQuest One Business.
>
> I am very much aware that our libraries need a statewide language learning
> option. However, the stats for Pronunciator are abysmal given the price
> (almost $30,000 per year), and we need to have a re-assessment period that
> takes into account all of our stakeholder groups. My intention is to have
> the assessment of language learning platforms be part of our database
> taskforce in FY24, with the goal of having a new multi-year language
> learning platform contract in place for FY25.
>
> For ProQuest One Business, this was a hard decision. However, compared to
> all of the other database offerings (including ProQuest Global Newsstream),
> this one is a lesser priority.  If MSL receives the new initiatives monies
> in our final biennium budget, we will definitely consider adding this
> resource back into the collection. If there are libraries that consider
> this database a priority and are willing work with MSL as a fiscal agent to
> obtain a discounted group price that those libraries (not MSL) would pay
> for, please reach out to us. Again, this database and others like it will
> be part of the database task force assessment as we have discussions about
> what we offer statewide, who pays for those databases, and truly prioritize
> what each stakeholder group needs going forward.
>
> Please let me know if you have questions and reach out to either Beth
> Crist or myself with any feedback or comments.
>
> Lori
>
> Lori A. Fisher, State Librarian
> Maine State Library
> 64 State House Station (mailing)
> 242 State Street (physical)
> Augusta, ME 04333
> (207) 287-5604
> https://www.maine.gov/msl/
>