2017 Charleston Library Conference

At Drake University's Cowles Library, increasing budgetary pressures, combined with improvements in gathering and analyzing usage data, compelled us in 2014 to reassess our collection development philosophy and approach. Our new philosophy--that the value of a resource is directly related to its usage--necessitated a more systematic, analytical process. We have developed an annual review process that uses data-driven decision making for canceling and acquiring electronic resource subscriptions.

We will present each step of this process, including:

• reviewing cost per use data,
• generating candidate deselection lists (“watchlists”),
• soliciting faculty feedback via a Library liaison process,
• communicating and marketing,
• canceling low-use items, and
• identifying and acquiring new resources on a yearly cycle.

With a more intentional, organized process we were able to save $175,169 over a three-year period. Combined with reallocated book acquisition funds, these savings allowed us to cover inflation costs and acquire new electronic resources requested by faculty for unmet curricular needs.

We plan to give participants the opportunity to discuss how they approach data-driven decision making, whether they have a process in place, how that information is shared, and who is involved in the decision-making process