Being a top research university doesn’t come cheap.
In the face of rising costs of respected research journals accessible at UNC’s libraries, the method of library funding at UNC might have to change — or else the resources offered might shrink.
As their annual meeting with Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Bruce Carney approaches, members of the Administrative Board of the Library met Wednesday to discuss the need to ensure that UNC Libraries receives sufficient funding.
“Every meeting is important, but preparing for our upcoming meeting with the provost is unusually important, given how much change is coming to the University,” said Fitz Brundage, the chairman of the board.
This issue has troubled the board for more than a decade. The libraries receive a base amount of money each year to sustain their resources; however, with inflation rates climbing, a gap between the money the libraries need and receive has widened.
The board has had to approach the provost on an annual basis to ensure that this gap is covered.
In past years, budget cuts and limited resources have already forced the board to discontinue the libraries’ access to the Taylor & Francis Group journals, said Carol Hunter, associate University librarian for collections and services.
While these initial cutbacks might have led to greater cost efficiency, a drastic limitation on spending could damage the University’s ability to maintain its standing as a top research university, said Sarah Michalak, associate provost and University librarian.
The board considered requesting an increase in its base funding in order to shrink the annual gap as one potential solution.
