[BOAI] Fwd: Change to the EThOS Membership business model

[Peter Suber]

[Forwarding from Neil Jacobs, via the JISC Repositories list.  --Peter
Suber.]


 Perhaps of interest mainly to UK, but not necessarily.  Please see below.
EThOS is the UK open access thesis service, harvesting from UK
institutional repositories.  EThOS will remain an open access service run
by the BL, but now UK universities will not have to subscribe to have their
theses included.  EThOS has been developed with support from Jisc and in
partnership with university libraries, the BL and others.****


Best wishes****

Neil****

** **
 ------------------------------

*From:* Gould, Sara
*Sent:* 20 May 2013 14:39
*To:* Gould, Sara
*Subject:* Announcing a change to the EThOS Membership business model****

Dear colleague ****

 ****

We are pleased to announce a change to the current subscription-based
business model for EThOS, the E-Theses Online Service.****

 ****

The most immediate effect of the changed model is the removal of the annual
EThOS membership subscriptions for participating institutions. The change
will take effect on 1 August 2013, and there will
therefore be no membership subscriptions due for this coming academic year.*
***

 ****

In all other respects, the EThOS service will continue as normal.****

 ****

The change will see EThOS move from its current subscription-based model to
become a permanent service delivered and funded by the British Library.****

 ****

*Summary of changes*****

This exciting development introduces these simple changes:****

 ****

   - Removes the annual subscription fee for all institutions ****
   - Simplifies the business model by removing the two-tier
   membership structure ****
   - Changes the EThOS governance model to bring it in line with all
   regular British Library services while preserving the
   collaborative nature of EThOS through continuation of an advisory
   board representing constituent interests of UK HE research. ****

* *****

*Benefits*****

We believe that the change will deliver the following immediate benefits:***
*

 ****

   - A cost saving for institutions of up to £2000 in annual subscriptions
   and up to £164,000 in total for UK Higher Education ****
   - It will enable the British Library team to focus on delivery of the
   EThOS service itself rather than on implementation of subscription
   membership ****
   - Delivery of a single, simplified service to meet the needs of all
   researchers and institutions ****
   - A stable future for EThOS that does not depend on subscription income *
   ***
   - Ongoing delivery and development of the EThOS service with continuous
   improvement in quality and depth of service provision. ****

* *****

*Next steps*****

We will share further information about this change over the next few weeks
and months, including a revised MOU between institutions and the British
Library to replace the current contractual Membership Agreement. This will
be a simple document that will allow you to review and agree key features,
principles and mutual obligations enabling the continuation of EThOS.****

  ****

Finally, we would like to reiterate that EThOS continues to operate as
usual - the on-going service is not impacted by this change. We welcome
your comments and feedback, and look forward to hearing from you.  ****

 ****

With very best wishes****

 ****

Sara****

 ****

Sara Gould****

EThOS Service Manager****

The British Library****

Boston Spa****

LS23 7BQ****

 ****

T: 01937 546123****

M: 07768467929****

sara.gould at bl.uk****

http://ethos.bl.uk ****
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