Is the “Big Deal” Dying?

Abstract

This installment of Balance Point presents a series of written interviews with a variety of participants in the current debate over the possible death of the “big deal.” The written discussions with large and small publishers, information service providers, consortia leaders, and several library stakeholders present the plethora of issues for readers. It is evident from the submissions that the idea of opting out of the “big deal,” or at least the debates surrounding the discussions, is gaining momentum. The problems are important and often controversial. Most authors agree that the “big deal” is not dead yet, and some think it may never die completely.