Clarivate issues “letter to the library community”

Company apologises for absence of consultation and is “committed to learning from this moment”

Clarivate has issued a letter to librarians to address the recent changes it announced regarding purchasing of print and perpetual access to electronic books for libraries. As reported, the company recently launched a subscription-based content access strategy, while also phasing out one-time perpetual purchases of digital collections, print and digital books for libraries.

Now, following a negative reaction from many in the library community, the company is extending institutions’ ability to make perpetual purchases of print books and ebooks on all platforms until June 2026.

The letter reads:

“We recognize that the absence of community consultation created frustration, during already challenging times for libraries and higher education. We sincerely apologize for this and are committed to learning from this moment and doing better.

“Over the last two weeks we have been in conversations with librarians, Customer Advisory Boards, user groups, and partners. We have collaborated with our community for many years, and value our working relationships. Thank you for taking the time to speak to us candidly on this subject; we appreciate your feedback.

“Listening to our customers we have realized that the original communicated dates for the last orders would pose a considerable challenge, so we are extending your ability to make perpetual purchases of print books and ebooks on all platforms through June 30, 2026.

“We acknowledge that choice in collection development, curation, and ownership are essential to libraries’ missions, and is the primary way you acquire content. Subscription models are just one component of your collection and access strategies. Our ebook subscriptions are not designed to replace perpetual front-list and textbook purchases and budgets.

“After receiving feedback and guidance from our customers and partners, we would like to further clarify our intentions moving forward:

• We remain unequivocally committed to preserving perpetual access to previously purchased Ebook Central titles.
• We are committed to increased investment in Rialto as an ebook marketplace, enabling title-by-title ebook purchasing from publishers and other vendors.
• We will work with vendors, such as EBSCO, to integrate with their book and purchasing platforms, to maximize choice and workflow efficiency for customers.
• We will expand benchmark and collection development tools in Rialto, providing you with insights to more efficiently make book selection, purchase and access decisions.

“To further support the changes announced:

• We will extend the ability for customers to make perpetual purchases for both print and ebooks on all platforms, including Ebook Central, OASIS, Rialto and GOBI through June 30, 2026.
• We reaffirm our commitment to always facilitate title-by-title perpetual access purchasing through the Rialto marketplace of ebooks from publishers and aggregators.
• We will work with you and your vendors of choice to create migration toolkits, to make transitioning your workflows and profiles as efficient and seamless as possible.
• We will provide the data and analytics you need, as well as regular updates and close communication with your local team.

“As we move through this process, we will continue to engage and consult with our Customer Advisory Boards, councils and user groups, as well as communicating with the community through our customer portals, websites, blogs and webinars.

“Your continued partnership is of paramount importance to all of us at Clarivate.”

Matti Shem Tov
Chief Executive Officer, Clarivate

Bar Veinstein
President, Academia and Government, Clarivate

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