Collecting Law and Medical Titles for General Academic Collections: What Use Statistics Can Tell Us
Publication Date
10-9-2009
Document Type
Article
Organizational Units
University Libraries
Keywords
Collections management, Law, Medicines, Monographs
Abstract
Purpose
In order to better understand how collections are used, this study aims to present a large‐scale analysis of usage patterns for non‐core monographs in the collections of fourteen general academic libraries of varying sizes.
Design/Methodology/Approach
Using Spectra Dimension, a collection analysis tool, this study compares use data from multiple academic libraries.
Findings
It appears that general academic libraries are overinvesting in legal materials and perhaps underinvesting in medical materials.
Research Limitations/Implications
This study suggests that analysis of use data from multiple libraries may help individual libraries better understand their own collecting needs. Local issues may, however, override the broad patterns identified here.
Practical Implications
In lean budgetary times, understanding collection use is key to making informed decisions about resource allocation for collection development. Libraries may be able to use these data to better manage their own materials budgets and collecting practices.
Originality/Value
Though there have been a number of large‐scale analyses of collections, most have relied on sampling or have compared small portions of collections, and few have compared use across libraries. This study analyzes collection use across many institutions at a level of detail not possible before the introduction of multi‐library collection analysis tools.
Recommended Citation
Levine‐Clark, M. & Jobe, M.M. (2009). Collecting law and medical titles for general academic collections: What use statistics can tell us. Collection Building, 28(4), 140-145. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604950910999765