How to participate in the Low Cost Journals Scheme

The aims of the scheme are to facilitate the purchase of high quality print journals for ACU member institutions in developing countries as well as to collaborate with other journal support schemes to ensure a co-ordinated approach in order to increase access to journals and provide a more streamlined and comprehensive service for university librarians.

How the scheme works

• The ACU undertakes the publicity for the scheme to the universities concerned, takes orders and collects and passes on payments to publishers (payments can be made by cheque or, with prior agreement from the ACU, by direct Bank Transfer or with UNESCO coupons)
• Once it receives an order endorsed by the ACU, the publisher simply dispatches the journal to the university in the normal manner
• Publishers may, at their discretion, make further offers involving back issues of journals, thus helping to ensure continuity of supply
• Discounts are generally only applicable to new subscriptions for print journals.

Eligible countries

To be eligible for the scheme, the university must be situated in one of the countries listed below and be a member of the ACU. The following two rates of payment are available through the Scheme.

Africa – Band A Rate

Publishers offer their journals to ACU member universities in the following countries at either the individual subscription rate, or another rate equivalent to 20-25% of the normal institutional subscription, plus distribution charges at cost (or exempted).

Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Namibia, Swaziland

Africa – Band B Rate

In countries in the lowest rank of the United Nations Human Development Index (2003), we ask that the Band A rate be reduced further where possible (in some cases to 10% of the list price).

Cameroon, Gambia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Other Countries – Band A rate

Some publishers offer their journals at reduced cost to the following countries outside Africa.  However, the journals are available at Band A rate only which is generally 20-25% of the list price of the print journal.

Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, University of South Pacific, University of West Indies

More information

For more information about the scheme in general or to apply to take part in the Scheme, please contact Jonathan Harle (lowcostjournals@acu.ac.uk).

2011 prices

2011 prices and order forms are now available. You will need to log in to access this; if you have a university email you can create a password here. If you wish to use a Yahoo or similar type of email address, please email acu@studylink.com stating your name, position and your university.or get details of how to register.

Low Cost Journals Scheme flyer – PDF copy of the above information