1. Why has SPIE reduced its subscription fees?
2. Who is eligible for the reduced price?
3. Who is not eligible for the reduced price?
4. What SPIE content is covered by the 10% price reduction?
5. What content is not covered by the 10% price reduction?
6. What are the implications after 2010 and beyond?
7. What are the new price tiers?
8. When will the changes take effect?
9. Will the reduced price mean a reduction in service or quality?
10. Who do I contact with questions?
1. Why has SPIE reduced its subscription prices?
These actions are the result of a year-long study concerning future directions for the SPIE Digital Library, in which many librarians and researchers in North America, Europe and Asia participated. Based on that research, there are two primary objectives for reducing the price and restructuring tiers. The most important is a direct response to the clear message from librarians that the global economic situation on top of long-term budgetary pressures facing libraries warrants a new and more flexible approach to subscription models. A second objective is to better enable smaller research institutions to have access to our content.
2. Who is eligible for the reduced price?
This is a change in the 2010 list price of the SPIE Digital Library and most current institutional subscribers will see a reduction in their charges (see exceptions below) as a result of the rollback and/or in some cases as a result of the adjustments in price tiers. Prospective customers will also be eligible for the new prices. The reduction applies to subscribers to the full database as well as subscribers to particular subject segments.
3. Who is not eligible for the reduced price?
The price reduction does not apply to consortia since current consortium pricing already reflects substantial discounts. However, 2010 prices for consortia will be frozen at 2009 rates.
4. What SPIE content is covered by the 10% price reduction?
This pricing reduction applies to the SPIE Digital Library as a whole, which includes
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Proceedings of SPIE
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All six SPIE Journals
Optical Engineering
Journal of Biomedical Optics
Journal of Electronic Imaging
Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS
Journal of Applied Remote Sensing
Journal of Nanophotonics
5. What SPIE content is not covered by the 10% price reduction?
The price reduction does not apply to print journal or proceedings add-ons, or to subscriptions to individual SPIE journals that are purchased independent of an SPIE Digital Library subscription. Separately, individual SPIE journal subscription prices in 2010 will increase by 3–5% due to the continuing growth in SPIE journal content and the associated costs of that growth. This increase in journal pricing affects subscriptions to individual journals only and not the full SPIE Digital Library or its segment packages.
6. What are the implications for pricing after 2010 and beyond?
In addition to a price rollback, SPIE is offering a three-year price freeze for customers who sign a three-year license commitment by September 2009. It is not SPIE’s intention to rapidly increase pricing to prior levels once the economy improves. While future pricing cannot be guaranteed, SPIE plans to continue to seek ways to moderate price increases and potentially continue rollbacks as our subscriber base grows. Should additional rollbacks occur in 2011 and 2012, these will be extended to any subscribers that make a three-year commitment in 2010.
7. What are the new price tiers?
New price tiers (or bands) also are being introduced, so that smaller institutions and larger institutions with limited engineering programs have better opportunity to acquire SPIE content. Until now SPIE has used a four-tier pricing model, with tiers defined by factors such as FTEs, Carnegie rankings, institution size, and technology relevance. The new system adds a fifth tier with tier definitions adjusted to better accommodate some organization types. This change may impact a few current subscribers. We anticipate most customers remaining in the same tier with a few moving down one tier (to a lower price); in no case will a current subscriber move to a more costly tier. This will be discussed with each customer during the licensing or renewal process.
8. When will the changes take effect?
Prices are applicable for renewals that take effect beginning 1 January 2010 and will extend to all renewals for 2010. As we enter renewal discussions with individual customers, we will be talking through the new tier options and prices as they are applicable.
9. Will the reduced price mean a reduction in service or quality?
No. SPIE is continuing to enhance the Digital Library with new types of content. SPIE eBooks will be available as an option to libraries beginning this August and will include frontlist, midlist, and backlist collections, all with perpetual access. (See for more eBooks information.) Two new journals, SPIE Reviews and Photonics for Energy and the Environment, also have been announced and are planned to launch later this year. Together with its platform provider AIP, SPIE will also develop and introduce new features as planned. SPIE remains committed to providing unsurpassed customer service to all its subscribers and users.
10.Who do I contact with questions?
Questions about pricing may be addressed as follows:
Email: dlinfo@spie.org
Phone: +1 360 685-5440
Or contact your SPIE Digital Library Sales Representative.