---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 17:04:31 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bob Heyer-Gray <rheyer@ucdavis.edu>
To: ref-forum@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Fwd: ICOLC Expresses Concern About Industry Mergers (fwd)
>
>INTERNATIONAL COALITION OF LIBRARY CONSORTIA EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT
>INFORMATION INDUSTRY MERGER
>
>At a recent meeting, representatives of consortia of libraries from around
>the world expressed concern at the news of yet another information
>industry merger which is further concentrating control of access to
>publicly-used information into a few commercial hands. The acquisition
>discussed at the meeting of the International Coalition of Library
>Consortia (ICOLC) was the purchase of SilverPlatter Information by Wolters
>Kluwer, a multi-national publishing company. Wolters Kluwer already own
>Ovid Technologies, which provides an alternative to SilverPlatter for
>library users to move from bibliographic information to the full-text of
>scientific and medical literature. SilverPlatter is widely-used as a
>"front-end" to numerous databases. The ownership of two major
>access-routes by the same company presents a potential threat to users of
>information, particularly as the new owner may consider consolidating
>software platforms and also owns substantial numbers of the full-text
>journals accessed. Monopolistic control can lead to unjustified price
>increases and limited service options for users.
>
>The acquisition of SilverPlatter by Wolters Kluwer is part of a wider
>concentration of access to information into the hands of a few giant
>multi-national companies. The acquisition of Harcourt General Inc. by
>Reed Elsevier Inc. is currently being examined by regulatory authorities
>in several countries. Library organizations across the world have been
>vociferous in pointing to the danger for society in such mergers. Open
>and unrestricted access to information is one of the corner-stones of
>democracy, and control of access to the world's information by a few
>powerful commercial interests is developing rapidly.
>
>*******
>
>About the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC)
>
>The ICOLC first met in 1996 as the Consortium of Consortia (COC). The
>Coalition is an informal, international group that currently comprises
>over 100 library consortia in North America, Europe, Australia, Israel,
>China, and South Africa. The coalition membership primarily serves higher
>education institutions by facilitating discussion among consortia on
>issues of common interest. The ICOLC conducts meetings throughout the
>year dedicated to keeping its members informed about new electronic
>information resources, pricing practices of electronic providers and
>vendors, and other issues of importance to consortia directors and
>governing boards. The Coalition also meets with the information provider
>community, creating a forum for discussion about product offerings and
>issues of mutual concern. Further information about the ICOLC and its
>participating consortia can be found at:
><http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia.>
>
>*******
>
>For further information about this statement, contact:
>
>Frederick J.Friend, Director Scholarly Communication, University College
>London,
> Phone/fax: 020 7679 4529
> e-mail: ucylfjf@ucl.ac.uk, OR f.friend@ucl.ac.uk
>
>Ann Okerson, Yale Associate University Librarian & Coordinator of the NERL
>Consortium of Libraries,
> Phone: 203-432-1764
> e-mail: ann.okerson@yale.edu
>
>For further information about ICOLC, contact:
> Tom Sanville, Executive Director, OhioLINK. Columbus, OH.
> Phone: 614-728-3600, ext. 322.
> Fax: 614-728-3610
> E-mail: tom@ohiolink.edu
>
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