What is journal unbundling?
Unbundling is the process by which libraries are changing their model for journal subscriptions from a dependence on very large journal packages from major publishers that have fixed costs, sometimes also called “big deals,” to a more targeted approach that increases flexibility and reduces costs while maintaining access to the most needed journals.
Why is the library changing how it subscribes to some journals?
While these large journal packages provide extensive access, often to over 1000 journals in a package, the majority of titles receive very little usage. With annual increases above the rate of inflation, the cost of subscriptions has doubled over the last 20 years while the library’s budget for collections has increased by only 12%. Because the largest of these journal packages consume nearly half of the library’s collections budget without the flexibility to adjust costs in response to changes in funding, it is necessary to pursue a new model for journal subscriptions.
How will journal subscriptions be handled instead?
Beginning in January 2026, UIC’s subscription to Wiley journals will switch from a read-and-publish agreement with access to over 1000 journals to a read-only title-by-title model with subscriptions to just over 300 journals. This change will allow the university to retain access to approximately 85% of needed content while saving 40% of the cost.
How were journal retention decisions made?
This review process involved a multi-dimensional analysis looking at cost, usage, what journals UIC faculty cite and publish in, and modes of alternative access, including open access and interlibrary loan. Feedback was also gathered from campus leadership and faculty, as well as subject librarians. Click here for list of retained journals.
How are other universities responding to rising journal costs?
For some time, many libraries including UIC have found strength in numbers by negotiating with journal publishers jointly in consortia to control costs. Over the past 10 years, more libraries have also resorted to unbundling these “big deals,” often with minimal impact and great cost savings.
How can I continue to access articles from a journal that has not been retained?
The university will retain access to issues from all years in which the library maintained a subscription. For almost all journals, this includes issues from the past 10 years, and for most journals access extends back 15-20 years. The library will also continue to offer quick, free interlibrary loans for journal articles, with article PDFs generally delivered within 1-2 days.
What impact does this have on my ability to publish open access?
Under the previous Wiley agreement, any UIC affiliated researcher whose article was accepted for publication in a Wiley journal had the option of publishing it open access free of charge. Any articles accepted for publication after December 31, 2025, will no longer be eligible for this fee waiver. However, authors are still free to deposit the author accepted manuscript (prior to final formatting) in UIC’s institutional repository, Indigo.
Are any other journal deals being considered for unbundling?
Yes, depending on budget developments, the library will be evaluating several other packages. The largest of these are with Springer and Elsevier, but several more under consideration include Institute of Physics, Karger, and Royal Society of Chemistry.
Who can I contact with questions or concerns?
You can contact Carl Lehnen, Head of Collections at the University Library, clehnen@uic.edu, or the subject librarian for your department or college.
November 10, 2025