Making a Collection Count - Revised and Updated

Making a Collection Count Holly Hibner and Mary Kelly www.awfullibrarybooks.netwww.slideshare.net/awfullibrarybooks

Making a Collection Count By Yours Truly2nd edition in the works!

Collection Life Cycle Selection Weed or Acquisitions Replace Repair & Processing &Maintenance Cataloging Re-Shelving Shelving Checkout (Use)

Library Workflows • Checkpoints for quality control• Every step in life cycle has workflows • Efficiency and Lean considerations • Develop training and standards Image: http://www.rgbstock.com/photo/mQQvqFG/Intersecting+circles

Collection Metrics • What is a metric? • The circulation metric • Group metrics • Item metrics • Collection audit Image: http://www.rgbstock.com/photo/mGBQ2LW/measuring+tape+detail+3

Physical InventoryOn-going process of comparing theshelf list (holdings) to actual items.Image: http://wayland.k12.mi.us Image: http://law.upenn.edu

What You’ll DiscoverInaccurate call numbersMislabeled itemsItems marked missingItems that are just plain stupid!

Picture taken by Holly Hibner

Why should we spend time doing this?• Catalog accurately reflects library holdings• Create a starting point for evaluation• Deeper understanding of ILS and work flow

Intangible Reasons• Shows vigilance with public assets• Staff familiarity with collections• You look smart, professional, and RELEVANT!

Using Inventory DataAudio Book Collection Results (1 Day’s Work) • 5 missing items found • 1 item still checked out • 14 items cataloged as wrong format • 2 items not found (Stolen? Lost? Discarded?) • ~50 confirmed status/location Error Rate: ~ 45% Reclaimed items: 20 (~$65 each = about $1300 value)Lost/stolen/missing:2 (about $130 value)Items confirmed: ~50 (about $3,250)

Collection Statistics• Statistic = Calculations used to make conclusions about data• Collection use• Average age• Collection Turnover

Creating Collection Objectives Collection Data is Dynamic!Is your collection doing the job it’s meant to do?

Public Library Audio Book Collection Objective• Popular materials of current interest• Titles with limited shelf life given low priority• Consideration/comparison to statistics in downloadable audios will also be investigated.• Classic fiction and nonfiction titles that coincide with local school and university curriculum objectives, foreign language instruction for both students and travelers

Creating Benchmarks• Most expensive collections get most attention• Non-financial reasons are important and considered!• Circulation Goals Image: http://theclimbinglab.blogspot.com

Public Library Circulation Benchmarks for Audiobook Collection• Fiction Titles • 10-12 checkouts within 1 year of purchase• Popular Non-Fiction • Bestsellers, self help, biography, etc. • 8-10 checkouts within a year of purchase• Informational Non-Fiction • Language instruction, Shakespeare/Poetry, etc. • 3 checkouts within 1 year of purchase

Other Benchmarks to Set Using Inventory Data• Average unit cost of each item in a collection• Total cost (worth) of a collection• Number of units in a collection• Weeding/maintenance schedule Image: http://greenzu.com

WeedingWhat is yourlibrary’s mission?Whatorganizationsexist to archive andpreserve? Image: http://ktliterary.com

Weeding Libraries are not in the business of collecting “things,” but providing content and access to content.http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/crew/crewmethod08.pdf

Don’t be sentimental Image: http://prettymomguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/baby-crying2.jpg

ConclusionTo make your collection count: Measure it Report it Analyze it Everything is Connected!

Contact Us! Holly Hibner and Mary Kelly submit@awfullibrarybooks.net Twitter: @awfullibbookswww.slideshare.net/awfullibrarybooks awfullibrarybooks.net

Making a Collection Count - Revised and Updated

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