Questions to Consider Before Committing to a Company

Does the Vendor have the content we desire?

How much content will we get for the price?

Can we purchase through our consortium for a better price?

What business models are available?

Which model is most sustainable?

Are annual fees required to access content?

What are the terms of use in the license?

Do we own or lease the content?

What are the DRM restrictions?

Can we purchase titles through a preferred library?

Are MARC records included with purchase?

Is the metadata or full text indexed in discovery tools?

What features are available in the interface?

Are multiple format types searchable in the same interface?

What are the technical requirements for use (e.g. browsers, pug-ins)?

What type of use data exists? Integrated into ILS?

Can e-books be downloaded to reading devices? Does it require additional fees?

What included in the service agreement?

Will buying content from this vendor meet our goals?