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Engineering Library

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Sticker Shock

The rising costs of scientific journals

This 2001 display was inspired by a similar exhibit at the Health Sciences and Human Services library at the University of Maryland.

Designed by the Cornell University Engineering Library team of Gregory Tomso (Reference Assistant), Jill Powell (Reference Librarian), and John M. Saylor (Director) with technical help from Kristina Buhrman (Web Support Specialist).

$12,495

Believe it or not, you could own this brand new Toyota Corolla, complete with air conditioning and a three-year warranty, for the same price as the library’s yearly subscription to the Journal of Applied Polymer Science.

$14,610

For the same price as the library’s yearly subscription to Theoretical Computer Science, you could own this “Pave X” ring from Tiffany’s. Twenty-eight diamonds, totaling .89 carat weight, are set in 18 karat gold with blue enamel.

2001 Toyota Corolla
The cover of Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Copyright © 2001 Reproduced with permission of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
"Pave X" ring from Tiffany's
Cover of Theoretical Computer Science

$4,045

A seven-day, first-class Princess cruise for two through Alaska’s glacier territory costs the same as the library’s annual subscription to Chemical Engineering Science. Ocean-view deluxe stateroom and all meals included.

$6,365

Harley Davidson promises that this 883 Sportster Hugger motorcycle will deliver “raw-boned experience of the open road.” And the price? About what the library pays for a year’s subscription to Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering.

Photo of Alaskan cruise Princess
Cover of Chemical Engineering Science
Harley Davidson 883 Sportster Hugger motorcycle
Cover of Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

$11,280

For the same amount the library pays for an annual subscription to the four parts of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell could provide a full scholarship for a semester of undergraduate study at one of our state-assisted colleges, including tuition, room, board and books.

Uris Library and McGraw Tower from the bottom of Libe Slope
Four parts of Materials Science and Engineering

Comments? Questions? Email us at engrref@cornell.edu.

Designed by the Cornell University Engineering Library team of Gregory Tomso (Reference Assistant), Jill Powell (Reference Librarian), and John M. Saylor (Director) with technical help from Kristina Buhrman (Web Support Specialist).