Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

Fall 11-8-2018

Abstract

With the advent of e-journals and other electronic content, the centrality of print books within library collections was challenged. At the same time, internet-based technologies made it easier and faster to discover and acquire both print and e-books. Today there is a much wider variety of book acquisition modes than ever before and they differ significantly in number of accessible titles per acquisition dollar. However, flat or declining library budgets, along with increases in electronic journal subscription rates, put downward pressure on monograph funding. As a response to shrinking funding and increasing researcher expectations of immediate access to a greater wealth of information, many academic libraries are changing the way they think about collections. The emphasis is now moving towards access over ownership, as well as towards data-driven approaches to selection and acquisition of the most relevant books in print and electronic formats. Given this landscape, it is crucial for libraries to define a well-reasoned, comprehensive strategy that represents an optimal mix of all available acquisition modes. Each library’s strategy should reflect its institutional priorities relative to content quality and availability, usability, permanence, as well as cost-related factors such as individual purchase price, overall affordability, and predictability. Attendees will explore a comprehensive book acquisition strategy that employs multiple approaches to maximizing access within a sustainable financial model. The relative advantages and trade-offs associated with each component of the strategy will be discussed based on their value to The Claremont Colleges Library and its users. Each attendee will gain valuable takeaways that will provide them with the tools to customize the strategy to their library’s priorities.

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