From: "Hamaker, Charles" <[log in to unmask]> Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2013 09:38:42 +0000 So its just business as usual to charge smaller libraries, with smaller physics departments a multiple of 20 times what your largest customers are charged on a per use basis? That seems to be the implication of the posting below. I suspect from what I have seen of CPU studies, in fact, it is more than just APS with such a strategic charging algorithm. That charging small and midsize libraries many multiples for use of what larger customers experience is a benefit of the system, so that smaller and medium size libraries proportionally contribute more to the bottom line. I suspect this is a feature, not a bug. In APS' case two medium sized libraries with a maximum of 8,000 downloads pay as much as a single institution (whatever that might mean) as one customer with 40,000 downloads. APS and everyone else using the same logic is proud of lower inflation because they make it up with the more profitable smaller and medium size customers. The smaller and midsize libraries are more profitable than the larger libraries. Or am I radically misunderstanding the implications of this pricing structure? If I am, I hope someone more knowledgeable of the industry will correct me. Is this the legacy of the big deal? And the alternative is astronomical Pay Per View charges per article? If the larger publishers use the same logic, the same structure, then small and medium size libraries now produce the bulk of the profit margins and have the lowest utilization rates. We have come 180 degrees away from yesteryear's pricing. The CPU based study cited by Darby Orcutt of Virginia Bacon and Patrick Carr implies this disparity. APS demonstrates it. (with the added astronomical price jump if you are, like UNCC one of the unlucky libraries being re-classed into their "tier II" collection. Chuck Hamaker ________________________________________ From: Mark Chesnek <[log in to unmask]> Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 15:56:06 -0400 APS strives to ensure fair pricing to all institutions and we continually work with the librarian community to maintain transparent and fair pricing policies. Since 2005, the prices for Tier 1 subscriptions have decreased on average by almost 2% and our Tier 1 & 2 subscriptions have not experienced an annual increase of more than 3% in a given year. Even our highest tiers have averaged a 4% yearly increase since 2005. APS is also proud to have one of the most generous Green Open Access policies of any publisher and to be the first to adopt this liberal policy. With regard to the Tier changes being discussed for 2014, only 6% of our overall institutional subscribers were affected. Of those subscribers, just over 4% moved to a higher Tier and the remaining were moved to a lower tier. Letters explaining the changes for 2014 were sent to those institutions affected. APS encourages any institution with questions regarding their 2014 Tier change to please contact Matt Wascavage, Fulfillment Manager at [log in to unmask] to discuss your concerns individually. Mark Chesnek Marketing Manager American Physical Society