Library funding and journal cancellations in South African university libraries

Abstract

This article is based on part of a survey that investigated journal cancellations in university libraries in South Africa. A study population consisting of 17 university libraries in South Africa was surveyed by means of an online questionnaire to establish whether university libraries in South Africa were adequately funded and to gauge the impact of restrictive library budgets on journal cancellations. Interpretation of the results revealed South African university libraries, like most academic and research libraries world wide, have not been adequately funded and as a result have resorted to annual journal cancellations. Recommendations are made about enhancing library budgets to ensure continued access to library periodical collections.