SPARC Negotiation Resources
SPARC hosts a variety of resources to support libraries in negotiations with vendors, in evaluating and exiting big deal packages, and in planning and communications work to support making different collections decisions. These resources offer practical support to negotiate better deals and advance a more values-aligned research communication ecosystem.
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Exit Interviews: Leaving Big Deals & Proprietary Products
This profile series seeks to support libraries that are considering leaving big deal journal packages and other major proprietary products by sharing the increasing depth of experience that institutions have in pursuing this path.
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Big Deal Cancellation Tracking
Open AccessThis resource explores a growing trend within the global library community—the cancellation of so-called "big deals" (large bundles of journal titles sold at a discount off of aggregate list price). The analysis includes a detailed look at what more than two dozen libraries from around the world...
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Contracts Library
The SPARC Contracts Library provides useful information about the terms and conditions publisher may seek to include in their standard agreements.
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Data Analysis for Negotiation
Open AccessThe Data Analysis Working Group of SPARC's Negotiation Community of Practice has collaboratively developed the resources linked below to support libraries in better leveraging data in negotiations with publishers.
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Recommendations for Providing Alternative Access After a Big Deal Cancellation
This resource explores the provision of alternative means of access as part of SPARC’s efforts to help member libraries save money and secure better deals in negotiations with publishers.
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Open Investment Statements and Principles
Open AccessThe Strategic Priorities Working Group of SPARC's Negotiation Community of Practice has created a repository of existing open investment statements, rubrics, and principles to help the community learn from one another’s experiences and practices.
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Strategies for Effectively Engaging Stakeholders in Negotiations
The Campus Planning and Partnerships Working Group of the SPARC Negotiation Community of Practice offers this curated selection of sharable resources that libraries can use to help initiate and guide local conversations.
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Negotiations Community of Practice
The Negotiations Community of Practice works to meaningfully address information asymmetries between libraries and vendors, to support libraries in negotiating better deals and unbundling from big deal packages, and to better align collections spending with library values.
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ONEAL Project
The SPARC ONEAL Project page outlines a collaborative open curriculum that teaches negotiation theory and vendor agreement strategies for academic libraries through videos, activities, case studies, and adaptable lesson plans.
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Pushing Back Against Confidentiality Clauses & Non-Disclosure Agreements
The SPARC guide on confidentiality clauses and NDAs explains why libraries may want to resist restrictive vendor agreements and provides practical language and strategies for negotiating greater transparency in publishing contracts.
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