2019 Charleston Library Conference

Mergers and acquisitions are a normal part of any open marketplace, but it seems every time one vendor or publisher purchases another, many within the library world express concern and dismay. This level of concern has grown more acute over time with the increasing consolidation of library vendors and publishers and as many of those companies increasingly appear to be employing strategies in search of the horizontal or vertical integration of their slice of the marketplace. While some see this trend as a negative occurrence, the reality is that mergers, acquisitions, and other forms of strategic partnerships that result in market consolidation have both positive and negative impacts on libraries, universities, and the marketplace. In this session, we will explore the impact of an increasingly consolidated marketplace, looking at both short-term and long-term implications, benefits, and consequences of this continually evolving industry.