I decided to reply to the group on this one. I do not know the answer to
Shonda's questions - but I thought I would voice my own feelings about
the cost of ELibrary. First of all, let me say that I DO like the
product - especially since it is one database that our students really
like to use - and will often go to without prompting. Now that I have
praised the product - it is time to rant about the unfairness of thier
pricing. We used to be a grade 6-12 school. At that time, I was able
to subscribe to it for the MIDDLE SCHOOL price of around $1500. The
high school price was $2500 - even though it is the SAME PRODUCT. Now
we have split into 2 buildings. Of course I know that 2 buildings means
2 subscriptions. But - now we have to pay $4000 for the same number of
students - $1500 for the Middle School and $2500 for the High School.
That is more than double the price! Unfair!
I feel that databases should be priced according to the number fo
students in your building - not the age of the students! I could see
pricing by grade level if the products were designed for the different
age levels. But E-Library is the same for both levels. Very unfair. I
hope there is someone from Proquest "lurking". I have shared my
displeasure over this - but they feel that they are being fair.
By the way - the prices I quoted are only approximate prices. I
believe they are actually quite a bit higher now. These are the prices
that I recall from the year we opened the high school.
Bottom line - I am NOT subscribing next year. I am going with Gale
instead.
Jacquie
"The Librarian, whose job is to heal ignorance, to keep life safe for
poetry and to put knowledge smack dab in the middle of the American
way."
From The Philadelphia Inquirer, 9-20-03
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jacquie Henry, MLS
Ruben A. Cirillo High School (GHS)
Gananda Central School District
3195 Wiedrick Road
Walworth, NY 14568
jhenry@gananda.org
http://www.gananda.org/library/mshslibrary/indexgcl.htm
>>> "Brisco, Shonda" <briscos@TRINITYVALLEYSCHOOL.ORG> 03/31/04 10:31AM
>>>
Does anyone know if Pro-Quest or E-Library (same company) will be
offering any special "package deals" for school libraries? Right now
I
am looking at dropping these two databases because of the price. In
the
past (in Texas), school libraries have had free access to databases
through Thomson-Gale but last year this program was eliminated at the
state level. As a result (and as a great service to Texas schools),
Gale offered us a reduced rate to allow us to continue using the
databases that we have grown accustomed to (and which our students
love). =20
With budgets growing tighter, I can't see paying full price for
databases such as ProQuest or E-Library when the majority of what our
students need is also available through alternative database programs
that companies like Gale are offering. =20
If anyone knows anything new from ProQuest or E-Library, I'd like to
know. Otherwise, I'm planning to drop our subscriptions to search for
something that falls in line with what we can afford this upcoming
year.
Thanks!
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
briscos@trinityvalleyschool.org
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