Collection Assessment and Development at a U.S. Membership Library: A Case Study. Issue 2 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kelly, Robert
• Is Part Of: Collection management. Volume 41:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 82
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Collection assessment -- collection development -- fiscally challenged approaches -- membership libraries -- research libraries; Collection management (Libraries) -- Periodicals; 025.205
• DOI: 10.1080/01462679.2016.1165157
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-2679

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Due to fiscal challenges of a nonprofit subscription (also known as "membership") library in the post-2008 economy, a cost-effective collection assessment and subsequent collections development policy was initiated, leveraging historic acquisition patterns over a 200-year period. The inaugural comprehensive collections policy underlines chronological and geographic filters applied to four historic subject strengths, providing a sustainable roadmap outlining future acquisitions. The conclusion is that for libraries with restrictive budgets and/or a lack of shelf space, a cost-effective collection assessment process and the development of a focused collections policy posited upon subject depth, rather than breadth, is instrumental in both cost and resource savings.