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The Health Knowledge Network (HKN) is a cost-recovery health information consortium operated by the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary that licenses health information on behalf of health practitioners, researchers, policy makers and post-secondary institutions.

Through consortia agreements with international publishers and aggregators, we:

Identify authoritative, evidence-based health care information.
Research and promote consortium opportunities.
Negotiate fair and equitable pricing on behalf of subscribers.
Negotiate agreements that protect our subscribers’ usage rights.
Provide one-stop technical support to our subscribers to ensure uptake of and continued access to their licensed resources.

Licensing expertise

Working with Alberta’s two largest universities provides HKN with exceptional expertise in negotiations.

One stop support

We coordinate all licensing, training, invoicing and technical processes to simplify your lives.

Trustworthy resources

The collections librarians at both Universities evaluate all resources licensed by HKN.

Consortia pricing

Combining multi-sector subscribers under one organization allows HKN to increase considerably its buying power.

In an era of fluctuating exchange rates, ever-increasing costs, and the need to reduce expenses, I have found the work of HKN to be invaluable. The strength of HKN membership allows us to collectively communicate to vendors the seriousness of current fiscal issues, which has resulted in lower increases, thereby enabling us to continue to provide access to important health resources.”

Evelyn Bruneau, University of Manitoba

The wonderful, knowledgeable staff at HKN have been extremely helpful and have done a tremendous job in negotiating pricing that means our library can continue to offer high quality online content to our customers. We are a small library and being part of the HKN consortium has been a real boon to us in cost savings and rationalizing our work processes. Thank you HKN for your continuing support and commitment to Health libraries.”

Damien Roberti, College and Association of Registered Nurses

Thank you for all that you have done, and still do, for health libraries, the communities they serve, and vendors/partners. It’s appreciated.”

Christoph Kapp, Canadian Pharmacists Association

Strategic Initiatives

The Health Knowledge Network (HKN) uses a Balanced Scorecard approach to understand our subscribers’ needs and to identify key business activities that align with our vision and strategy. The strategic agenda advances the mission and vision of the Health Knowledge Network, and is aligned with our Principles and Values.

Services

Explore and negotiate discounted subscriptions for new and/or existing content.
Explore multi-year contracts to address inflation and fluctuating exchange rates.
Communicate selected language from license agreements to subscribers.
Post exchange rates and vendor inflation rates on HKN website.

Marketing and Communications

Meet with Saskatchewan and Manitoba library directors regarding their evolving health regions.
Enhance communications and better reflect HKN’s business operations.
Consult with CAG members to identify issues of relevance.
Leverage expertise of Partner University Collections Units and CAG members to inform content selection, negotiations, and trial decisions.

Annual Report

View 2023/24

Balanced Scorecard

View