Open book: a librarian’s view


budget stood and its relation to the overall landscape of academic publishing. Communication channels used were a LibGuide, departmental email, brown bag sessions on the collection, campus announcements via the daily newsletter, and updates to faculty senate via a new faculty senate library committee, which also includes student representatives from undergraduate and graduate council. How collection decisions were made


was re-framed as a campus conversation that would be based on data. The library initiated cancellation suggestions instead of requesting them from faculty, which were rooted in cost-per-use. New acquisitions were offered as options based on data such as inter-library loan requests, turn-aways, and academic program growth.


Conclusions The results of implementing these new collection strategies have been encouraging, but not perfect. In the initial year, the library made modest journal cuts, which freed up funds to start many new journal subscriptions and several new databases. The feedback from faculty about the cancellation process and


subsequent usage of the new resources has been good. The second year of implementation saw an 8 per cent increase to the materials budget and many more needed resources. This, the third year saw only a 4 per cent increase, which was less than requested but it was a tougher economic year all around on campus. Even with the inadequate budget allotment, there was a marked difference from years past. It was a very collaborative process between university administration the library and faculty, with a healthy dialogue and greater understanding all round. I now feel better prepared, going


forward, to be able to tell a story with data in order to communicate a message and further strengthen our partnerships with faculty regarding collection management.


Anna Seiffert is head of collection management services at Arthur Lakes Library, Colorado School of Mines


Do Anna Seiffert’s experiences chime with you? Would you like to share your thoughts as a librarian with the readers of Research Information? Email tim.gillett@europascience.com


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