Why do Big Deals matter for faculty?

What does this mean for me?

If VCU Libraries breaks a Big Deal, immediate access via the library to some of the journals included in the publisher’s package will be lost. However, VCU Libraries is committed to providing access to the articles you need. The disciplines that are impacted will depend on the journals to which VCU Libraries continues to subscribe. 

For some people, the change will be barely noticeable, amounting to occasionally learning that VCU Libraries does not have immediate access to a needed article. For others, the change will be more noticeable, including not having immediate access to a wider selection of articles from the library. If you find that lack of immediate access presents challenges for your teaching or research, contact us.

If you can’t access a journal and need an article, here are some options: 

• Check for a free copy via Unpaywall, the Open Access Button, or other tools 
• Use Interlibrary Loan to have an electronic copy of the article sent to you from another library.
• Contact the author and send a request.