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It does seem illogical yet may be true...as more CD-ROM
periodical index products with etext become available and
used by more libraries, the more they seem to cost.
On any day of any week, the fairness of CD-ROM pricing is a subject
capable of generating a healthy debate.

The following questions may suggest that applying the economies
of scale and/or concluding that the repeated release of cumulative
data should significantly reduce CD-ROM pricing could be based on
false assumptions:

     Is the enterprise which markets the database the
     exclusive owner of the copyright(s) or is the product
     available under a negotiated reformatting/distribution
     agreement?

     Is the negotiated agreement between the company
     marketing the CD and the owner(s) of the copyright(s) fixed
     rather than variable with regard to the volume of the
     distribution?


It may be as bold as it is futile to suggest that if earlier in
this century librarians had developed consortia or co-ops to
manage the widespread distribution of indexing services, as was
accomplished to a considerable extent to enable resource sharing, these
organizations could have controlled variables such as *predictable* pricing
and *product* stability - essential factors of quality service.


Koleta Tilson, Librarian
Sullivan Central High School
Blountville, TN 37617
kbtilson@sacam.oren.ortn.edu


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