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At a recent meeting, representatives of consortia of libraries from
around the world expressed concern at the news of yet another information
industry merger which is further concentrating control of access to publicly-used
information into a few commercial hands. The acquisition discussed
at the meeting of the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC)
was the purchase of SilverPlatter Information by Wolters Kluwer, a multi-national
publishing company. Wolters Kluwer already own Ovid Technologies, which
provides an alternative to SilverPlatter for library users to move from
bibliographic information to the full-text of scientific and medical literature.
SilverPlatter is widely-used as a "front-end" to numerous databases.
The ownership of two major access-routes by the same company presents a
potential threat to users of information, particularly as the new owner
may consider consolidating software platforms and also owns substantial
numbers of the full-text journals accessed. Monopolistic control
can lead to unjustified price increases and limited service options for
users.
The acquisition of SilverPlatter by Wolters Kluwer is part of a wider concentration of access to information into the hands of a few giant multi-national companies. The acquisition of Harcourt General Inc. by Reed Elsevier Inc. is currently being examined by regulatory authorities in several countries. Library organizations across the world have been vociferous in pointing to the danger for society in such mergers. Open and unrestricted access to information is one of the corner-stones of democracy, and control of access to the world's information by a few powerful commercial interests is developing rapidly.
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About the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC)
The ICOLC first met in 1996 as the Consortium of Consortia (COC). The Coalition is an informal, international group that currently comprises over 100 library consortia in North America, Europe, Australia, Israel, China, and South Africa. The coalition membership primarily serves higher education institutions by facilitating discussion among consortia on issues of common interest. The ICOLC conducts meetings throughout the year dedicated to keeping its members informed about new electronic information resources, pricing practices of electronic providers and vendors, and other issues of importance to consortia directors and governing boards. The Coalition also meets with the information provider community, creating a forum for discussion about product offerings and issues of mutual concern. Further information about the ICOLC and its participating consortia can be found at: http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia.
Frederick J.Friend, Director Scholarly Communication, University College
London,
Phone/fax: 020 7679 4529
e-mail: ucylfjf@ucl.ac.uk, OR f.friend@ucl.ac.uk
Ann Okerson, Associate University Librarian & Coordinator of the
NERL Consortium of Libraries,
Phone: 203-432-1764
e-mail: ann.okerson@yale.edu
For further information about ICOLC, contact:
Tom Sanville, Executive Director, OhioLINK. Columbus,
OH.
Phone: 614-728-3600, ext. 322.
Fax: 614-728-3610
E-mail: tom@ohiolink.edu