Like many institutions across the country, Virginia Tech is facing budget cuts because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 27, University Libraries learned that its base budget would be permanently reduced.

An official announcement noted, “We need to reduce our electronic resources subscriptions, which make up the largest part of the library’s budget. We must act quickly since subscription renewals are placed in mid-September. Publishers can deny or delay access to the thousands of titles we’re keeping, if we do not renew on time.

“We will continue to prioritize the purchase of course materials and critical electronic resources for research and teaching. By eliminating discretionary one-time spending on electronic journal backfiles, primary source resources, and scaling back on new acquisitions, we can reduce the hit to journals and databases. However, more than $300,000 in subscriptions must be cancelled immediately.

“A list of the titles that will be cancelled for FY21, effective after Jan. 1, 2021 is here. However, some databases will be active through the spring semester. We compiled this list with extensive input from subject liaisons and a thorough assessment of usage data from the past five years. Other factors taken into account include inflation increases, alternative access through Interlibrary Loan or another existing resource, university strategic initiatives, and use in remote instruction.

“The Library will retain access to pre-2021 content for cancelled journals. Interlibrary loan requests may be placed for post-2020 articles from cancelled journals.  

“The University Libraries is committed to providing the scholarly materials faculty, students, and staff need to do their work. We will continue to use and explore alternative ways to access scholarly materials.

“If you have questions about the cancellation process or alternative access to the cancelled content, please contact your liaison librarian or Leslie O’Brien, Director of Collections at lobrien@vt.edu.”

Submitted by Laura Belmonte, Dean