In an article appearing in a copy of The Education Digest (1994), Neil Postman makes the following observation in his article, "Technology as Dazzling Distraction" (1994, pgs. 25- 28):
"What we too easily call "progress" is always problematic- technology is always a Faustian bargain. It giveth and it taketh away."

In this instance, most college and university libraries took the lead for online journals and other electronic resource as cost effective in dollars and storage space. After 27 years of this experiment, colleges and university libraries are suffering with the insatiable appetite of online data base subscriptions. The loss of access to online resources would impact both intellectual and social cost for students, faculty, and communities at large (including K-12, public, and private libraries).

For example, most databases include hundreds of titles. All database titles may not be of interest to university library patrons; however, subscription services require an 'annual' purchase of all titles within the database (or most). This expenditure accounts for a substantial percentage of a library’s budget
An unlikely solution to this never-ending cycle of increased subscription fees would suggest the cancellation of subscriptions. To do so would result in a loss of patrons’ access to online resources because the need for print journals and research was (is) considered antiquated. So, the cycle continues- the Faustian bargain is in full-affect. Continuous payments for something you will never own.

Why? Non-renewal of database subscriptions would result in limited access (if any) to library specific data. Library/university faculty/staff use this information to informed decision-making regarding circulation trends, collection development activities, and special interest/needs of all students.

As we reassess all aspects of university library life after the pandemic, the importance of a balanced collection of both print and non-print resources will ensure that all students become critical thinkers, avid readers, skillful researchers, and ethical user of information (AASL, 2009). And a balanced, fully funded, up to date collection of both print and non-print resources will ensure that quality resources will be available to all patrons during times of budgetary constraints.

This is a disaster. A budget cut is one thing, but gutting a library is absurd.

I'd like to know if they are putting some of those budget cuts towards lower tuitions. Everyone knows that student debt is a major crisis. The universities should be addressing this by making tuition more affordable. While the library should not be the sole target, cutting costs to lower student debt would be a commendable goal.