CSU/SCELC Resource Licensing Program

We are pleased to announce the CSU/SCELC Resource Licensing Program. The following series of questions and answers will help you decide if you would like to participate in this new venture.

Why SCELC Now?

SCELC and CSU-SEIR have been working together on joint contracting partnerships for many years, and together we have achieved excellent discounts from vendors such as the APA and Oxford University Press. Due to the recent structural changes at SEIR, a need arose to enable ongoing licensing of resources at individual CSU campuses; specifically, resources that are outside of the CSU-SEIR core collection. SCELC wants to provide this service to our fellow libraries here in California, and, due to our large number of resource offers, SCELC can provide many offers at the best price to CSU libraries.

What is the CSU/SCELC Licensing Program?

All CSU institutional members are eligible to become CSU/SCELC Affiliates; you will then be able to acquire access to electronic resources at reduced rates negotiated by SCELC. The SCELC staff is available to assist potential affiliates throughout this process.

How Do You Join?

If you have not done so already, to become an CSU/SCELC Affiliate, you will need to complete the CSU/SCELC Affiliate Application form. After submitting the online application you will receive a Welcome Packet that contains detailed policies and procedures.

What Should You Expect?

You will receive periodic announcements of vendor offerings throughout the year. It is solely your decision whether or not to participate in any specific offer. Becoming a CSU/SCELC Affiliate does not obligate you to purchase anything. There are no up-front cost obligations.

How Will You Learn About New Licensing Opportunities?

The SCELC Office will offer new licensing opportunities through e-mail announcements. Whenever possible, SCELC will ask vendors to provide resource trials and instructional webinars to explain their products and services. CSU/SCELC Affiliates will be able to participate in these trials and webinars in order to make informed purchase decisions.

How Will You Be Billed?

SCELC manages the financial aspects of this program and pays all vendor bills directly to vendors. New purchases or subscriptions are billed to the library upon order. In addition, SCELC will bill you for all of your licensed resources in one statement that is issued once a year using SCELC’s “Master Renewal” process. The Master Renewal is similar to how libraries work with subscription agents, where once a year SCELC will bill a library for all of its existing SCELC resources. SCELC will maintain detailed information about your licensing and billing choices. See the Welcome Packet that you will receive upon application for more details.

What Does SCELC Charge for its Services?

For each electronic resource acquisition, SCELC charges an administrative surcharge of either 1% or 5%, depending on the nature of the licensed product. This surcharge is the same surcharge SCELC charges its dues-paying members. SCELC will also charge a small “affiliate transaction fee” per subscription or purchase to recoup the additional administrative costs of supporting non-member libraries. At no point will surcharges from SCELC make a licensed resource more expensive for your institution than if you went directly to the vendor. See the Welcome Packet that you will receive upon application for more details.

What Are Your Responsibilities?

Although SCELC manages vendor negotiation and vendor payment, you have responsibilities as a CSU/SCELC Affiliate. You will be expected to:

  • Pay your bills in accordance with SCELC procedures as outlined in the Welcome Packet, which is sent to libraries upon receipt of application materials by the SCELC Office.
  • Notify SCELC of any IP range changes.
  • Notify SCELC of any changes to your name or e-mail address.
  • Work with your institution’s IT department as necessary to make sure that resources are accessible within your organization.
  • Provide training and promotion as appropriate within your organization to inform your clientele about the availability and use of licensed resources.

More Information About the CSU/SCELC Licensing Program

For more information about this program, please contact any of the following individuals:

  • Rick Burke, Executive Director, SCELC, rburke [at] scelc [dot] org
  • James Wiser, Assistant Director, SCELC, jwiser [at] scelc [dot] org