BioOne's Business Model Shift: Balancing the Interests of Libraries and Independent Publishers

Abstract

Building on data compiled in 2003 on business and circulation trends of participating publishers, BioOne launched a multi-faceted, multi-year program to reposition the services it provides to participating publishers, assisting them in managing the shift away from reliance on institutional print subscriptions to a more balanced portfolio of revenue streams. This article explains the background situation faced by BioOne and its participating publishers, provides details on all components of the initiative, and outlines some of the goals BioOne hopes to achieve with each component. It further examines the successes that have been achieved in the first year of the initiative and explores some of the challenges that BioOne continues to face.