In light of ºÚÁÏÉç’s current financial situation, the ºÚÁÏÉç Libraries have experienced a $1 million reduction to its collections budget. Unfortunately, cancellations of some digital resources—including databases and journal subscriptions—are necessary. There will be no reduction to print book acquisitions.
In deciding the resources to cut back on, the Libraries sought to make sure that all disciplines across ºÚÁÏÉç are affected in the most balanced and equitable way possible. To do so, the following factors were considered:
- Usage of the resource
- Cost of the resource
- Duplication of content
- Quality of the resource
- Equitable distribution across disciplines and fields of study
These cancellations are being implemented over a two-year period, aligned with license renewal dates.
Please rest assured that the Libraries remain committed to ensuring access to the information and materials you need. Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Network Loan services are available and can help source content from our partner institutions.
If you have questions or need support identifying alternative resources, please contact Megan Chellew, Interim Associate Dean, Collections (megan.chellew [at] mcgill.ca (megan[dot]chellew[at]mcgill[dot]ca)).
We thank you for your understanding and continued engagement as we navigate these difficult decisions together.
Selected resources and alternatives
Please find below a table of selected resource cancellations and alternatives. Please contact your librarian should you have any questions.
| Cancelled resource | Subscription ends | Main subject area(s) | Alternative resources available from ºÚÁÏÉç Libraries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algebraic & Geometric Topology | 2025-12-31 | Mathematics | Request via Interlibrary Loan |
| CIAO: Columbia International Affairs Online | 2025-06-30 | Public Policy | |
| Conference Board of Canada | 2026-1-31 | Economics, Management & Business | , |
| DynaMed | 2026-05-31 | Medicine, Health Sciences | |
| Europa World Plus | 2025-10-31 | Business, Economics, Statistics | |
| Fractals : Complex Geometry, Patterns, and Scaling in Nature and Society (access maintained for the years 1993–2000) | 2025-12-31 | Mathematics | Request via Interlibrary Loan for content from 2001 onwards |
| Geobase | 2025-09-30 | Geographical, Earth, and Ecological Sciences | , , |
| Le Monde diplomatique via EBSCO | 2025-12-31 | Political Science | Available via |
| LLMC Digital Collections | 2025-05-30 | Law, Government Documents | |
| OpinionArchives | 2025-07-31 | Humanities | Search Sofia for individual titles or request via Interlibrary Loan |
| Social Explorer | 2025-12-31 | Statistics |
Frequently asked questions
Why are digital resources being cancelled?
Due to the University’s financial constraints, the ºÚÁÏÉç Libraries’ collections budget for 2025–2026 has been reduced by $1 million. To address this cut, cancellations of select digital resources are unavoidable.
Will print books be affected?
There will be no reduction to print book acquisitions.
What kinds of resources are being cancelled?
Primarily databases, journal packages, and some individual journal subscriptions that were previously available through ºÚÁÏÉç Libraries. A full list is available on and will be updated regularly.
How were the cancellation decisions made?
We consulted usage statistics, cost-per-use data, overlap with other resources, and feedback from subject librarians. Our priority is to retain resources that are most used and most critical for teaching, learning, and research.
When will the cancellations take effect?
Cancellations are being implemented in phases over two years, depending on the renewal cycle of each resource. Please check regularly for updates.
What if I lose access to an article or journal I need?
You can request articles, books, and chapters through our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) or Network Loan services at no cost to you. Most articles are delivered within 1–3 business days.
Will I be notified when a resource I use is cancelled?
Where possible, subject liaison librarians will communicate directly with affected departments. However, we encourage all users to consult this regularly to stay informed.
Can I request that a cancelled resource be reinstated?
While our budget constraints are significant, we welcome all feedback. Please submit your feedback to Megan Chellew, Interim Associate Dean, Collections (megan.chellew [at] mcgill.ca (megan[dot]chellew[at]mcgill[dot]ca)).
How can I stay informed about changes?
Bookmark this and check back often. We will also share updates via the Libraries’ website.
Will course materials be affected?
If you're teaching a course and concerned about access to required readings, contact your liaison librarian as early as possible. We’ll work with you to identify alternative access options.
Are there open access alternatives?
Yes. We encourage the use of open access journals and repositories when possible. Our librarians can help identify OA alternatives for your research needs.