WHELF (Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum) Statement: Elsevier Negotiations

Our universities are fully committed to the approach being taken by the UK’s Elsevier Negotiation Team and support the recommendation to reject the 6th proposal from Elsevier on the basis it does not yet meet the two core objectives of the negotiations: to reduce costs to levels which are sustainable, and facilitate rapid transition to full and immediate open access to UK research.

UK universities have agreed a set of negotiation objectives that reflect our shared desire to foster open research. We welcome the progress the Elsevier Negotiation Team has made with Elsevier over recent months, whilst noting their advice that the current proposal does not yet deliver against the sector’s requirements. We hope both parties can continue to work together to achieve a more equitable agreement which allows for the sector-wide management of the open access transition.

As a consortium, WHELF will continue to collaborate closely to ensure our members are provided with the learning resources in a model that is the most cost-effective use of Institutional budgets.

WHELF Board:

Alison Harding, University of Wales Trinity Saint David: WHELF Chair

Mark Hughes, Cardiff Metropolitan University: WHELF Vice-Chair

Julie Hart, Aberystwyth University: WHELF Treasurer

Kristine Chapman, National Museum of Wales

Andrew Dalgleish, University of South Wales

Judith Dray, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Gary Elliott-Cirigottis, Open University in Wales

Lori Havard, Swansea University

Tracey Middleton, Bangor University

Owain Rhys Roberts, National Library of Wales

Tracey Stanley, Cardiff University

Nicola Watkinson, Wrexham Glyndwr University