aserl-collection-strategy Mailing List: Quick Feedback Needed: Group Purchase proposal from AM / Adam Matthew

[John Burger, ASERL (jburger]

Hello ASERL-Collections Friends,

You may have heard that we have been approached by AM (fka Adam Matthew 
Digital) about a new group-purchase offer for ASERL members. We are hoping to 
get some quick feedback from smart folks like you as we consider these options. 
Please see the summary below, knowing that we want your feedback re:  What 
questions or concerns would you have? What do we need to ask, or push on?

The current proposal: Like our previous AM deal, the offer includes a 20% 
discount – which is supposedly a higher discount than you would normally 
receive for purchases made on your own.  If ASERL libraries collectively reach 
$7.3M in the total group-spend by December 31, 2025 the participating libraries 
would receive access to AM’s 2017-2021 backfiles, a package of 45 products. 
There would be discounts throughout the offer.

  *   Libraries would have to make a $50K minimum purchase to receive the 
backfiles; non-participating libraries would not be awarded the backfiles.
  *   Minimum discounts would be 20% off AM’s list pricing; purchases of 3 or 
more titles by any ASERL library would receive a 40% discount
  *   The deal would be open through December 31, 2025, to allow libraries to 
participate on their own timeline
  *   Invoicing would be handled by AM with participating libraries; invoicing 
would not pass through ASERL
  *   Any new purchases would be added to your existing licenses with AM
  *   We have been assured this offer would not compete with offers AM may have 
via other consortia or groups. Any purchases made by ASERL libraries via other 
offers would contribute to ASERL’s total group spend, no matter which deal a 
library used for their spending.

Pros:

  *   If we can meet the $7.3M collective spend threshold, participating 
libraries receive a trove of primary source content.
  *   Discounts under this offer are higher than you might receive on AM 
frontlist content or other AM products.
  *   The previous deal resulted in significantly increased page views and 
downloads for many participating libraries.  Usage is good!
  *   Many of you are already spending significant sums with AM and that 
spending would contribute to the collective goal.
  *   The awarding of backfile content may remove barriers to purchasing 
certain subject packages.

Cons:

  *   The collective threshold could be a stretch in light of budget 
uncertainties.
  *   The minimum spend for receiving the backfile is $50K, which may be out of 
range for some.
  *   Individual benefit depends on meeting collective thresholds.

As we move forward, we will put a written offer in front of you and post on our 
website and later arrange a demo and presentation from AM—but we need your 
insights or reactions NOW to ensure we get the best offer possible to take 
advantage of this opportunity.

What say you-all?   How would you want us to modify the proposal to fit your 
wants & needs?

Thanks for your input.  😊

Kind regards,

--j.e.b.

John Burger, Executive Director
Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL)
540 Asbury Circle, #316
Atlanta, Georgia  30322

404-218-4207 -- cellular