Fees for Automated Reference Services in Academic Health Science Libraries

Abstract

By 1982, more than ten years after the introduction of MEDLINE in academic health science libraries, automated information retrieval services in this setting are largely fee-based.' Although fee structures vary from library to library, the rationale and bases for the fees are similar. In this paper, the philosophical and economic decisions reached by academic libraries in devising an equitable fee structure are presented. Other mechanisms, such as fee by subscription, of coping with the economic impact of computer technology on reference services and with the high cost of information today, are discussed. The fee structure in effect at the Louis Calder Memorial Library, including its fees by subscription, is described.