While the COVID-19 experience brings home the reality that money spent on print information resources is wasted if your organization’s people aren’t at the firm or law library to process or use the materials, the question of best spend and the factors that go into assessing the right format and contractual terms for the workplace are not new. If your firm, like many others, has magazines, newspapers, supplements, and new editions of books piled up on someone’s desk, or processed but unread, it can be daunting to identify alternatives and impacts but the evidence demanding change is right there in those piles. It needs attention. Here are eight tips and factors to consider as you and your library management team tackle that pile, literally and figuratively.

1. If you have the title (whether it’s a newsletter, a book, or any other print material) online, full-text, and current via a digital information resource, ditch the print unless there’s a clear business need for it. Watch for publisher embargos that keep the most current content offline for some period of time.
2. Discuss formats and benefits with your users. You will find that the pandemic and the onslaught of information has them rethinking priority publications and news sources. You may find users more receptive to cancellations and to format changes. With digital publications come the ease of links to articles, selection of updates and newsletters, issues tracking, copying and sharing, and more. Most readers appreciate the value of well-chosen digital-delivered material.
3. Is the publication available in digital format from the publisher? Make the shift but check for complicating factors like limits on number of email addresses tied to the digital edition or news alerts.
4. Is the cost for the digital version higher? Factor in the personnel time to process print, from opening mail, to recording individual issues, to filing updates. And consider the value of print that goes unread because it isn’t circulating or doesn’t make it to or from home offices.
5. If print+digital is an option and costs no more, does it make sense to get both? It depends on the utility of and preference for print in your organization. In addition to processing of print, there are also health considerations. Recent research shows that the novel coronavirus sticks around for days on print material.
6. Many traditional publishers have pivoted to digital in response to COVID-19 and customer demand. The publication information on their website, especially for small or speciality publishers, might not be up-to-date. Call the publishers directly as needed to inquire about discounts, enterprise solutions, and cancelling print.
7. Publishers are eager to retain customers during COVID-times. Ask about terms and speak up about preferences. The feedback helps them and may open an opportunity for your firm.
8. If you are prepared to clearly identify and promote the access points and advantages of digital information resources, the response to print cessation will be generally positive.