Highlights of Collection Analyses In ASERL Libraries

TRLN Annual Conference July 28, 2006

John Burger, ASERL Executive Director

Quick Overview – ASERL

What is ASERL?• Largest regional consortium of research

libraries in US (37 libs in 10 states)• Founded in 1956 as informal networking

group for library directors• Founded SOLINET, active in creating

faculty status for librarians in 1960s• Staffing started in 2000; now much more

active program development

Quick Overview – ASERL

Program Highlights• Reciprocal ILL• Kudzu/Document Delivery• Virtual Reference• Preservation of ETDs (LOCKSS)• Cooperative Storage Trust (in planning)• Training for non-MLS managers• Collection Development Initiative• Staff Exchange w/ HBCU libraries

ASERL/TRLN/FCSUL WorldCat Collection Analysis Group

• Largest WCA groups service in world• 60 libraries at 33 institutions, including 17 ARLs• Nearly 40 million titles held by group• All 10 TRLN libraries subscribed to group &

individual WCA service• Training offered last Fall via SOLINET• Subscription expires as of Sept 30, 2006• Renewal in process, 2/3 are renewing as of now• TRLN renewals??

ASERL/TRLN/FCSUL2005-2006 WCA Group Members

1. Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL2. College of William and Mary, VA3. Duke University, NC4. Duke University Law Library5. Duke University Medical Center Library6. Duke University School of Business7. East Carolina University, NC8. Emory University, GA9. Emory University, Pitts Theology Library10. Florida A & M University11. Florida A & M University College of Law12. Florida Atlantic University Libraries13. Florida Center for Library Automation14. Florida Gulf Coast University15. Florida International University - University Park16. Florida International University - Biscayne Bay17. Florida International University - College of Law18. Florida Solar Energy Center19. Florida State University – Strozier Library20. Florida State University - Music Library21. Florida State University - College of Law22. Florida State University - College of Medicine23. Florida State University – Ringling Library24. George Mason University, VA25. Louisiana State University26. North Carolina Central University27. North Carolina Central University Law Library28. North Carolina State University29. Tulane University Howard-Tilton Library, LA30. Tulane University Law School Library

31. Tulane University Medical Center32. University of Alabama Libraries33. University of Central Florida34. University of Florida - Smathers Library35. University of Florida - Holland Law Library36. University of Florida Gainesville Health Science Center Library37. University of Florida Jacksonville Health Science Center Library38. University of Kentucky Law Library39. University of Kentucky Libraries40. University of Kentucky Medical Center Library41. University of Louisville, KY 42. University of Memphis, TN43. University of Miami, FL44. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 45. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Health Science Library46. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Law47. University of North Carolina at Greensboro48. University of North Florida49. University of South Carolina50. University of South Florida Library System Tampa51. University of South Florida Health Sciences Library52. University of South Florida Mental Health Institute Library53. University of South Florida Poynter Memorial Library54. University of South Florida, Sarasota -Manatee/New College55. University of Tennessee Knoxville56. University of West Florida57. Vanderbilt University, TN58. Virginia Commonwealth University59. Virginia Tech60. Wake Forest University, NC

Anticipated Uses of WCA

• Use for accreditation reports, new program proposals, purchasing, weeding, identification of unique materials

• Compare breadth of subject area coverage with peers, all of WorldCat

• Compare age of collection by subject area, language, format

• Comparing holdings of print vs. electronic• Identify titles for preservation, storage• Subscribe for 1 year, then drop it

Actual ASERL Member Uses of WCA

• Mixed responses to my inquiry• All like it, but some find it easier to use than

others• Configuring sub-groups can be tedious, tricky• Identifying “real peers” causes some

consternation• WCA’s subject areas/sub-topics are not easily

understood/clearly defined (match w/ LCSH/call number ranges would be helpful)

ASERL Member Uses of WCA

Virginia Tech

• Identified 200 monographs held by peers but not VT

• Placed 1,100 of those titles on wish list for purchase

• Already purchased 500+ titles

ASERL Member Uses of WCA

Information Alliance (Vandy, UT, UK)• Had pre-existing collection development agreements in a

few subject areas to reduce duplication/increase uniqueness of combined collection

• Still wading through reports; trying to determine thresholds for decision-making

• Helps librarians to know their collection intimately• Would like to connect WCA data with circulation data to

determine usage of multiple copies, what to weed/store• Will use to identify titles for preservation• Also use WCA data for bragging rights on occasion• Suggest ASERL/SOLINET consider hiring statistician to

coordinate collection assessment activitiess on regional level

ASERL Member Uses of WCA

University of South Florida• Measured/reported existing resources for ABET

Accreditation (Engineering & Technology)• Compared USF w/ NCSU for CompSci

resources for accreditation/ planning/budgeting purposes

• Used for planning proposed new PhD Program in Literature & Gender Studies (examined resources at Emory & Chapel Hill)

• Used to analyze possible “collections of distinction” for possible ARL membership application

ASERL Member Uses of WCA

Emory University• Compared collections w/ Duke & Vanderbilt• Used for benchmarking of collections by subject

areas – already reported on 20 subject areas• Drafted new collection development policy

based on WCA findings• LOTS of overlap – ½ of Emory’s collection held

by Duke• Already purchased titles, esp in health sciences

New WCA Functionalities for 2006-07

At the risk of sounding like a commercial…

• 27 pre-formatted groups for comparisons

• Includes ‘ARL Top 20’, Google 5 and by subject area

• Online demo at http://www.oclc.org/info/wcademo/swf/.

Questions?

John Burger, Executive DirectorAssociation of Southeastern Research Libraries1438 West Peachtree St, #200Atlanta, GA 30309800/999-8558jburger@solinet.net

www.aserl.org