RE: Elsevier plus LexusNexis: profits up for 2008, to over $1.5 billion U.S.

[Scott Zimmer <szimmer@alliant.edu>]

Precisely.  If one has just slain the goose that lays golden 
eggs, it is bad form to ask its owner, "But why can't I eat goose 
every night?  It's delicious!"

Scott Zimmer, University Librarian
200 Walter Library | Alliant International University
10455 Pomerado Road | San Diego, CA 92131
voice: 858.635.4553 | mobile: 858.610.2853 | fax: 858.635.4599


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Jamie Furrh
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:54 PM
To: liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu
Subject: RE: Elsevier plus LexusNexis: profits up for 2008, to over $1.5 billion U.S.

I don't believe Heather ever said that a commercial business 
should "strive to break even". I think the point highlighted is 
that at a time when we are in severe economic distress, where 
libraries (i.e. entire campuses) are losing access to research 
material as a result of budget cuts and serial inflation, there 
is a business that is netting 1.5 billion in profit from the same 
libraries which are facing crushing decisions (like laying off 
personnel).

Is this type of business practice ethically moral to end users 
which are largely universities? Making profits is one matter, but 
at what point does it become pure greed and detrimental to our 
economy's health?

Jamie Furrh
Digital Projects Librarian

>>> Norman Frankel <publishing2@hotmail.com> 2/25/2009 7:58 PM >>>

I agree with Sandy.  It is not quite clear to me why one would
expect a commercial business to "strive to break even."  This is
a rather odd economic model.

Norman Frankel
Publishing Consultant

Skokie, Illinois