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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