2017 Charleston Library Conference

Researchers at Kent State University Libraries have collected DDA ebook program data from 8 large academic libraries in order to further research on DDA use and efficacy. As libraries transition more and more to the just in time acquisition model it is even more imperative to understand the factors that contribute to successful collection management practices and sustainability. With multiple years’ of data from 8 institutions, this will be the first large scale study of this kind.

In recent years, many academic libraries implemented DDA on a “learn-as-you-go” basis with little empirical data to guide them. For example, it was difficult to predict usage, and the most cost-effective scenarios: short-term loan vs. straight purchase with no short-term loans, etc. For this study we examined DDA ebook data from each institution that detailed order and license information, bibliographic data and usage data for each program. All institutions used Proquest as their ebook provider and YBP as the DDA ebook jobber. A survey was also used to gather information about the parameters of each DDA discovery pool program variables.
We also developed formula logic based on actual usage data in order to have an apple-to-apple comparisons of overall cost under various DDA model scenarios. Examining actual evidence based use data and employing longitudinal formulaic analysis provides a means for assessing whether or not the program meets library goals and helps detect patterns that predict cost and return on investment which may be a predictor of future use and benchmark for return on investment.

This study offers perspectives and considerations for implementing and evaluating a DDA program in large academic libraries. It also analyzes DDA ebook program commonalities and future directions that help librarians in choosing the ebook DDA business model that works best for their library.