When a library cancels a subscription, a key concern is ensuring continued access to the content they've already invested in. This article explores post-cancellation access specifically for academic libraries.
It's easy to forget that not long ago, accessing journal content meant a trip to the library. Librarians diligently collected and preserved this print literature, ensuring its availability for future generations, even if an ongoing subscription was canceled. You can still find remnants of this era in the microfiche collections of many libraries and in policies surrounding post-cancellation access (PCA)
Today, publishers play a vital role in ensuring ongoing access to digital content. PCA provides libraries with a way to maintain access to essential literature for their users, even after a subscription ends.
How PCA Works with ACS Publications
When a library chooses PCA with ACS Publications, they retain access to the front-file journal content to which they previously subscribed for at least one calendar year. A modest annual fee covers the technical services and infrastructure maintenance required to provide this ongoing access. Think of this nominal cost as the digital equivalent of maintaining a physical collection, which involves storage, climate control, and other upkeep costs. PCA is designed to protect the library's investment in scientific literature, and users continue using the same platform they’re familiar with, providing a seamless experience.
Important Considerations for PCA Agreements
Like any subscription, PCA is subject to standard terms of use. To ensure continued access, it's essential to adhere to these terms. As outlined in our standard terms and conditions, which applies to most subscriptions and PCA, misuse or abuse of resources—including unauthorized distribution of subscription (non-OA) content outside of the ACS Publications platform or encouraging other misuse of content—may lead to action up to suspension or termination of service. You can learn more about our standard terms and conditions and best ways to share content on our licensing page.
It's also important to note that PCA agreements cover front-file journal content only. Perpetual access to older and non-journal resources—such as books, news, and Legacy Archives journal content (pre-1996)—can be secured through one-time purchases.
ACS Publications' Commitment to Long-Term Preservation
Beyond PCA, ACS Publications is deeply committed to the long-term preservation of the scientific record. We understand the importance of ensuring that the content we publish remains available indefinitely. To this end, we utilize cloud storage and partner with Portico, a trusted digital preservation service, to safeguard our content, even in the unlikely event of ACS Publications' closure. This proactive approach mitigates the risk of scientific information disappearing, a fate that has befallen numerous open access journals over the past two decades.