The Library has tried to hold harmless the materials budget as much as possible. Several staff vacancies have been left open during the year to generate some savings. Our ability to purchase new books would be seriously compromised. We would have to reduce and eventually eliminate the discretionary lines provided to each department to buy books. My research depends upon journal access.
Research libraries try to maintain an appropriate balance between serials and book expenditures.
The importance of books varies by discipline, but in general, books tend to be heavily used by students across campus. New books are essential to keep pace with the demands of the teaching curriculum. In all likelihood, that will happen next year if we do not begin a cancellation project now. Inflation is a wild card, and unless we set this limit, a high inflationary year could wipe out the book budget and jeopardize the total materials budget. Members had the chance to look closely at the budget and consider alternatives.