45 SPEC Kit 352: Collection Assessment
Depends on the project
Each of these are done at least annually, but may be done more frequently in support of specific projects
or to answer specific questions.
Every few years we measure the collection currency and age.
In all cases this varies from annually to as requested, often in connection with collection
management projects.
Irregularly, as needed, and as time permits. We do these activities on a somewhat ongoing, somewhat
sporadic basis, sometimes more frequently than annually, sometimes less often.
Many of these processes occur on an ad hoc/as needed basis.
Methods vary, interval of 2–3 years
Monthly tracking of expenditures
More ad hoc: dependent on requests from individual departments, reaccreditation of said departments,
annual departmental reviews (some departments more actively engage the library than others).
Mostly monthly
On-demand intervals, for use in new library building planning
Ongoing, as needed
Periodic evaluation of portions of the collection for currency has been undertaken on a project basis.
Size: as needed Currency: as needed
Sporadically
We are currently creating the process.
We have analyzed collection growth once when doing a long-term space plan.
We have started using Ex Libris Alma and the interval is as needed.
Where selected, “another interval” should be read as “as and when required.”
Qualitative, collections-based N=65
Method Once Annually Another
interval
Plan to
use
Never
used
N
Peer library comparisons of overall library
measures
8 18 17 4 17 64
Peer library comparisons of title holdings 8 6 30 8 12 64
Direct or visual evaluation 4 5 34 5 16 64
Conspectus 12 0 6 2 43 63
Global citation analysis (e.g., impact factor) 6 4 22 10 21 63
List checking 2 6 27 4 24 63
Accreditation guidelines 3 7 45 0 8 63
Brief Tests of Collection Strength 2 1 11 5 42 61
Total Respondents 26 32 53 23 58 65
Depends on the project
Each of these are done at least annually, but may be done more frequently in support of specific projects
or to answer specific questions.
Every few years we measure the collection currency and age.
In all cases this varies from annually to as requested, often in connection with collection
management projects.
Irregularly, as needed, and as time permits. We do these activities on a somewhat ongoing, somewhat
sporadic basis, sometimes more frequently than annually, sometimes less often.
Many of these processes occur on an ad hoc/as needed basis.
Methods vary, interval of 2–3 years
Monthly tracking of expenditures
More ad hoc: dependent on requests from individual departments, reaccreditation of said departments,
annual departmental reviews (some departments more actively engage the library than others).
Mostly monthly
On-demand intervals, for use in new library building planning
Ongoing, as needed
Periodic evaluation of portions of the collection for currency has been undertaken on a project basis.
Size: as needed Currency: as needed
Sporadically
We are currently creating the process.
We have analyzed collection growth once when doing a long-term space plan.
We have started using Ex Libris Alma and the interval is as needed.
Where selected, “another interval” should be read as “as and when required.”
Qualitative, collections-based N=65
Method Once Annually Another
interval
Plan to
use
Never
used
N
Peer library comparisons of overall library
measures
8 18 17 4 17 64
Peer library comparisons of title holdings 8 6 30 8 12 64
Direct or visual evaluation 4 5 34 5 16 64
Conspectus 12 0 6 2 43 63
Global citation analysis (e.g., impact factor) 6 4 22 10 21 63
List checking 2 6 27 4 24 63
Accreditation guidelines 3 7 45 0 8 63
Brief Tests of Collection Strength 2 1 11 5 42 61
Total Respondents 26 32 53 23 58 65