Winter 2026 Subscription Review Update

The Western Libraries will be identifying approximately $102,000 in journal, database, and e-book subscriptions to cancel during the 2025-26 subscription review.

For several years, the Libraries used carryforward funds to postpone the need for subscription cancellations. Moving forward, Western Libraries will encounter an annual subscription deficit equivalent to roughly 3.9% of the Resource Access Budget. This year, we will need to identify $102,000 in journals, databases, and other subscriptions to cancel. More information about why this is happening and what it will look like is available on the Libraries subscription review webpage.

We are launching an updated subscription review process which will allow us to respond more efficiently to significant subscription price increases and enable us to better review our large journal packages. The timeline and mechanisms for university-wide feedback on the annual subscription review list will remain the same as previous years. The current review schedule, which will include a feedback survey in February and March, allows the Libraries to make cancellation and renewal decisions by the end of the academic and fiscal years.

Reductions on this scale will require difficult decisions. As such, the Libraries is committed to having frank and collaborative conversations about university subscription priorities so that we can continue to be good stewards and good partners, combining our own expertise with a broad understanding of your diverse needs and perspectives. Departments are strongly encouraged to connect with Subject Teams and consider inviting them to Winter or Spring department meetings.

Questions? Review the FAQ page or contact one of our Subject Teams. We always welcome the opportunity to discuss library subscriptions and the changing landscape of scholarly publishing. We will add to the public FAQ as new questions arise.