Discussions are in progress between Jisc and the metadata supplier BDS (Bibliographic Data Services Ltd.) in relation to the objectives of Plan M and following up on the recommendations from the Remodelling the Library Data Marketplace (RLDM) project which recently concluded.
We are currently working in collaboration with SCONUL and RLUK, and liaising with other groups such as SUPC (Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium), and Jisc governance groups, to explore whether it may be possible to reach a collective data licensing agreement that negates the need for bilateral licence negotiations between BDS and individual libraries and suppliers. The key issue for institutions will undoubtedly be around the cost of a new licence in comparison with what institutions are currently paying and Jisc is very sensitive to the current pressures on library and institutional budgets.
The current plan is to circulate a detailed questionnaire to elicit specific views on how a proposal would best work and to determine how many libraries would be interested in taking advantage of a collectively negotiated agreement, and on what basis.
If any libraries are already in discussion with BDS and would like to join up their discussions; or would like more information about the aims and objectives of Jisc’s role in this negotiation, please contact: nbk@jisc.ac.uk.
