Facts On File News Service |
Note from the Washington State Library: In order to participate in the Winter 2002 Washington State Databases Trial, each vendor was asked to address questions the Statewide Database Licensing Committee felt were most critical in order for library staff to evaluate products and vendors. Please contact the vendor's representative, listed below, for additional information on this product.
1. Describe the database product(s). If you want us to link to more than one product, provide a unique description for each product. Be sure we know what information belongs with each product. If there are special hardware or software needs, please make sure you include them in this description. When you provide a description of your product, please go beyond the typical advertising brochure text. We are hoping for a thoughtful, descriptive paragraph that will enable someone unfamiliar with your product to understand the nature and coverage of your product. The more concise the description, the better.
The Reference Suite
@ FACTS.com
FREE to Washington Members! (Archives are included at no charge with this offer…)
The Reference Suite @FACTS.com - The all new Reference Suite @ FACTS.com delivers these complete classic library reference databases:
- The Facts On File World News Digest
- The World Almanac and Book of Facts
- Issues and Controversies On File
- Today’s Science On File
The Reference Suite @ FACTS.com augments these core sources with coverage specially created for the Internet. It interconnects relevant articles so that even novice researchers quickly and easily get the answers they seek on current events, statistics, health, science and controversial issues. Online, full-text from the Facts On File World News Digest, 78,000 full text news articles dating from January 1950. Special Historic Event features cover landmark events back to 1940.
By Spring 2002, the award- winning FACTS.com will grow to encompass more than 60 years of full-text news; from October 1940, when World War II was something Americans knew only at a distance, through the news of this very afternoon, FACTS.com will deliver historical coverage of unprecedented scope.
FACTS.com FACTS.com delivers over 50 years of the authoritative Facts On File World News Digest, updated every week, interconnected with selected content from six other reference databases. FACTS.com offers a wealth of information at a single Internet site that delivers all the answers your researchers need on current events, key newsmakers, current statistics, scientific developments and controversial issues. Hundreds of thousands of internal hyperlinks connect researchers with the answers they need. Historical coverage from the Facts On File archives dating back to 1940* (by Spring 2002); Reuters news wire service, updating developments through this afternoon. Selected content from the Issues and Controversies On File, Today’s Science On File, The World Almanac and Editorials On File. Hundreds of photos, maps, charts and graphs round out this authoritative reference collection).
Issues and Controversies On File @ FACTS.com Issues and Controversies explores controversial topics in a language and format that researchers appreciate with the balance, accuracy and regular updating that librarians expect from Facts On File News Services. Probing the kind of sizzling issues on which libraries can never have enough information, Issues and Controversies covers over 70 controversial topics each year.
Today’s Science On File @ FACTS.com
There is no other news source that does a better job of reporting scientific developments in the kind of language and format that students can grasp than Today’s Science On File. Researchers have turned to the monthly print editions of Today’s Science On File for years to find authoritative yet accessible information on the latest developments in science. Today’s Science bridges the gap between textbooks and what’s happening in science today. Articles are detailed yet concise and include background information to give students a full perspective of the story as well as suggestions for further reading.
The World Almanac Reference Database @ FACTS.com The World Almanac Reference Database has been created especially for schools and libraries by World Almanac Books and Facts On File News Services. Now your library can get unlimited access to this amazing database. The unique hyperlinking at FACTS.com leads even novice researchers from the detailed tables in the World Almanac to background articles and biographies in The World Almanac Encyclopedia, the most recent developments as reported in Facts On File, even to relevant, safe, informative sites on the Web!
2. Is remote access included for the subscription price? If there are additional charges or requirements in order to offer remote access, please describe. What methods of remote access are supported? If applicable, please discuss any methods or assistance you offer regarding remote access patron verification and authentication.
Remote access is included in the subscription price. Libraries may choose authentication for remote access by ID/Password combinations or library card number authentication. (Authentication is done on the first 5 digits of library card). ID/Password combinations employ cookies that allow subsequent authorization without using the ID/password.
3. What customer training is provided, and at what cost? Please include "freebies" such as Web-based tutorials, end-user documentation tents, cheat-sheets, etc.
Each database is an extremely easy-to-use application with an extensive system of "Help. " New subscribers receive tips on using the service via a "Welcome Packet" which is sent after order is received. Bookmarks, tent cards and basic searching techniques and information are also included in the Welcome Packet. Quick Steps to Searching is available on "Search" menu. Help for content and use is also provided on-line and by telephone. For large district purchases, on-site training or conference call training could possibly be provided. The cost would be at the expense of the trainer.
4. What customer and technical support is provided, including hours of operation? In your reply, please include contact names (if applicable) or name of department, the phone numbers and e-mail addresses for your support services. If you have toll-free access to these support centers, please make sure they are available here.
Toll free technical support is available 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Customers may contact:
Michele Higgins, Technical Support Coordinator
1-800-363-7976 ext. 4300 or
E-mail support is also available at [email protected]
5. Please describe the statistics you provide, and discuss whether your statistical reporting complies in part or in whole with the guidelines developed by the International Coalition of Library Consortia found at http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia/webstats.html
Statistical reporting is available by E-mail request to: [email protected]. Although the statistical reporting does not at this time comply with the guidelines developed by the International Coalition of Library Consortia, plans are underway to develop a system that will meet these guidelines in the near future.
6. Describe your pricing structure or formula for the product. If there are additional costs for retrieving full text, describe the pricing for this service. (Note: This question means - we want to know what your list prices are and how you calculate your prices: Based on FTEs? On buildings? On a combination, or on something else?)
If you cannot provide a standard price list that
would enable each library to understand their cost to subscribe, then
for each product you must tell us the list price that you would charge
these hypothetical libraries.
a. Library A: A high school library with 750 students in grades 9-12
b. Library B: A public library that serves a population of 100,000 and
has two branches
c. Library C: A public library that serves a population of 20,000 and
has only one building, no branches
d. Library D: A community college library serving 5,000 full-time equivalent
students
e. Library E: A four-year academic library serving 5,000 full-time equivalent
students
f. Library F: A hospital library serving a hospital that employees 1,000
staff plus has 200 doctors attached to the hospital
Product
List
PriceK-12
Price with
Washington
DiscountPublic Libraries
Price with
Washington
DiscountFACTS.com
$1,595
$1,095
$1,195
Issues and Controversies On File @ FACTS.com
$ 629
$495
$495
Today’s Science On File @ FACTS.com
$ 395
$295
$295
The World Almanac Ref. Database
$ 239
$195
$195
The Reference Suite @ FACTS.com
$ 2,858
$1,795
$1,895
Discounts are available for school libraries and for multiple site purchases by a single institution (such as by a public library system or school district).
College pricing is based on FTE. (See complete FTE level pricing attached)
(Campuses can be aggregated within the institution)
Product
List Price
College
Washington Discount PriceFACTS.com
FTE 1-999=$1,595
FTE 1,000-5,000=$1,595
FTE 5,001-10,000=$3,190FTE 1-999=$1,150
FTE 1,000-5,000=$1,195
FTE 5,001-10,000=$1,995Issues and Controversies On File @ FACTS.com
FTE 1-999=$529
FTE 1,000-5,000=$529
FTE 5,001-10,000=$1,058FTE 1-999=$450
FTE 1,000-5,000=$495
FTE 5,001-10,000=$850Today’s Science On File @ FACTS.com
FTE 1-999=$329
FTE 1,000-5,000=$329
FTE 5,001-10,000=$658FTE 1-999=$275
FTE 1,000-5,000=$295
FTE 5,001-10,000=$516The World Almanac Ref. Database
FTE 1-999=$239
FTE 1,000-5,000=$239
FTE 5,001-10,000=$478FTE 1-999=$145
FTE 1,000-5,000=$195
FTE 5,001-10,000=$385The Reference Suite @ FACTS.com
FTE 1-999=$2,295
FTE 1,000-5,000=$2,295
FTE 5,001-10,000=$4,590FTE 1-999=$1,795
FTE 1,000-5,000=$1,895
FTE 5,001-10,000=$3,500Special pricing for Special Libraries/Hospitals and Business Locations: Special pricing is available by calling Louise Hayden @ 1-800-363-7976 ext. 4613. Pricing is still based on number of site(s) and takes into consideration number of actual employees at site location, similar to College FTE pricing.
Billing options include delay billing (up to 4 months) or split billing (pay half now and the balance in 4-6 months).
WE ALSO DO ACCEPT FUTURE START DATES UP TO 4 MONTHS.
7. If a library subscribes to any of your products as a result of this trial, will their future subscription rates continue to reflect any savings or discount they may receive today?
No answer
8. What is the minimum participation level (however you care to define it) that would be needed to allow participating libraries to receive a discount? What is the minimum discount for a group buy? How will you treat existing library customers with regard to a group buy?
Minimum participation level is one site. Minimum discount for group purchases is two sites. Existing library customers will be entitled to further discounts on new products. Existing customers are handled on a case by case basis and may qualify for a service extension depending on the current month of their current subscription. Future subscription rates will continue to reflect discounts from prices that are negotiated and available to Washington.
9. Please provide the name and contact information (toll-free telephone number, e-mail address, hours, etc.) for libraries to make further inquires. (Sales representatives for our area preferred.)
Contact for librarians: Louise Hayden 1-800-363-7976, ext. 4613; 9:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, or email: [email protected]