Federal Science eLibrary

Building the STM Information Infrastructure

INSINC Meeting March 22, 2004

Proposal for a Federal Science eLibrary

The Federal Science eLibrary will deliver seamless, desktop access to recent and relevant published scientific, technical and medical content to all federal scientists, researchers and S&T decision-makers.

Progress to date

• June 2002 business case for the Federal Science eLibrary demonstrated importance and value of STM information for federal research
• February 2003 S&T ADMs agreed; Chief Scientist, Health Canada funded $58k study to determine feasibility of e-journal delivery
• Study surveyed researchers, libraries, federal R&D funding environment and best practices in STM information delivery, in particular Canadian National Site Licensing Project (CNSLP)
• Obtained support from the Science and Technology ADMs at their October 23, 2003 meeting to seek $41.8M transition funds over a period of five years either through a Treasury Board Submission or Memorandum to Cabinet. NRC to take the lead.
• NRC President, Dr. Arthur Cary agrees to lead institution. Chief Scientist, Health Canada and NRC VP Technology and Industry Support agree to engage SBDA ADMs in building and supporting business case.
• Support for INSINC obtained from TIMS at their January 2004 meeting.
• Development of Business Case process started.

Challenges to STM Information Supply

• Journal prices increase per year up to 30-40% per title (+ 350% since1988) while Federal science library budgets are constant
• Librarians are not able to meet demand, and have cancelled 18% of titles
• More than 50% of the STM journals sold are digital;Government .e-journal purchases lag behind academic by 15%

Role of Information in Research

• Information is as important an element of scientific infrastructure as laboratories, technology, instruments and expertise
• Scientists need access to published research; most read a minimum of 3-10 articles per week.
• This information has a direct, positive impact on the quality of the work
• There are 21,000 research professionals in the Government of Canada; over 2600 responded to the survey

Goal of the e-Journal Program

Provide seamless and equitable access, in all regions and departments

Value to Departments and GoC

• Increase the number of e-journals available and eliminate regional disparities
• Reduce search time and make it more productive
• Facilitate recruitment and retention
• Strengthen the negotiating position of federal libraries and reduce staff time negotiating and maintaining licences

Federal Science eLibrary Proposal

Formation of an Office of the Federal Science eLibrary

• governed by the Strategic Alliance of Federal Science & Technology Libraries
• housed at the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI)
• negotiating and license management team; technology support team and technology infrastructure (deployment to desktop; archival/perpetual access)

Investment

The proposed Federal Science eLibrary Office and e-journal program requires new funding:

• An average annual investment of $7M per annum for a total of $42M over 5 years; 85% of funds to purchase e-content
• Program review in year four to determine sustainable funding

Existing Models

This initiative is realistic and achievable because it builds on established models and expertise:

• Canadian National Site Licensing Project
• International examples in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Taiwan
• Departmental virtual libraries

Next Steps

• Complete Business Case - June 2004
• Develop new partnerships within the GoC, provincial governments, hospitals and universities
• Seek the approval the creation of the Federal Science eLibrary consortium to govern the acquisition and delivery of STM e-journals
• Aide-mémoire to Cabinet?
• Submit Memorandum to Cabinet and/or Treasury Board submission (fall 2004?)