Jane has the right idea. Libraries are the wrong place to
put
this responsibility -- for a whole set of reasons.
The problem with author fees is simple. Higher education
requires publication from faculty as a condition of
employment.
Making faculty pay these fees as individuals is making them
have
to pay for the privilege of being employed. I think this is
called a kickback.
If universities want to require publication they need to
budget
for these fees and pay them. It's simply a cost of doing
business
like the heat or the water. Personally, I'm on the opinion
this
ought to be centrally budgeted rather than coming out of the
library line because central administrations are better
equipped
to deal with financial obligations that are spread all over
campus -- as well as being the people administering grants
and
contracts -- which, arguably, is where alot of these fees
should
be coming from.
Karl Bridges
Associate Professor
Information and Instruction Services
Bailey Howe Library
University of Vermont
karl.bridges uvm.edu <mailto:karl.bridgesuvm.edu>
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