Data Driven Collection Analysis: Right-Sizing Library Collections
Thomas Finley presenting statistics collected by Elizabeth Chase - Frisco, TX
Debra Lambert - Indianapolis Public Library
Fellow data lovers unite and bask in the glory of reports, graphs, charts, and more!
This session was presented by two different library systems facing the same problem - too many items, not enough space, and needing to get handle on what patrons actually want and giving it too them (adjusting budget / space).
Right-sizing is a term used to mean - right budget for right collections based on patron interest based on data and in turn creating the right spaces in the right places.
In order to make a collection right for you community you need data! Now to be fair, these libraries have a special collections department whose sole job is to focus on the collection. I think we do a pretty great job without one!I *LOVE* that we have the opportunity to have a direct hand in our collections and use the feedback we we see and hear from patrons first hand versus a collection department.
So the key to a healthy, functioning, good collection is data analysis!
We currently look at this type of data through horizon - how many times an item has checked out in a year, total, it's date to determine an items turn over and relevance in our collection. Selectors do this with each of the collections they order and often with the help of the *AMAZING* and *WONDERFUL* Jacquie, Kristin, and Don!
One of our biggest troubles (or enemies) is time. It takes time to do a good analysis. Both of these libraries, aside from having specific staff, have a special subscription database called collection HQ that gathers all of this data and then does the leg work and analysis FOR YOU!!!! Of course something that great is not free (darn!)!
The bottom line is that their collection analysis was able to tell them ...
- what was not checking out
- how much to adjust their budgets (decrease here / increase there)
- based on space (measuring of their shelves) how much to reduce / weed their collection so it would fit
And the results were *AMAZING*!!!
Circulation increased as well as number of new cardholders (37% increase)! And an increase in circulation by 18%!
Stats need:
- Books / circulation
- number of books in each collection
- circulation of collection
- circulation / age of individudal item
- % of collection that checks out at a given time
- Shelf space
- each shelf accurately measured
- amount of books that can fit on the shelf
They recommended starting this project at the beginning of the year (or same point) so that you could compare apples to apples.
The Frisco Library in Texas, about 20-30 miles from Dallas, has some similarities to RC -
- Town population of about 150,000
- about 1.1 million in circ
- 60 staff
- 55,000 sq. ft
- 3 floors located in a wing of city hall
- 70% of circulation is youth materials
- Opened in 2006
- By 2009 "full" running out of space
As a newer library it was difficult to let go of items that were still in good condition and getting some use. The collection analysis helped them.
Weeding needs to be constant, at least three times a week.
After doing the statistical work, weeding, shifting, they moved into the next step, which was evaluation and examining policies and procedures.
This gave them the opportunity to try out some additional ideas to help with circulation / space -
- Extending check out periods
- Have an automatic renewal
- Instead of purchasing multiple copies of dvds, lease until the rush is through
Really good program and important reminder about the importance of collection analysis and management.
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