A review of the acquisitions budget: Examining and modifying the fund structure to advocate for open access

Abstract

Budget allocation decisions have become far more complex and difficult. One obvious reason is the shift from print to electronic purchases. This along with the lack of increased funding to sustain these collections has created a scenario in which all purchasing decisions need to be made with precise planning. This paper examines the fund structure review conducted at the Trinity University Coates Library, which sought to identify best practices as well as better capture how much is being spent on resources beyond print and electronic. More specifically, the review sought to include open access (oa) resources into the fund structure.