Highlights of Collection Analyses In ASERL Libraries

1. Highlights of Collection Analyses In ASERL Libraries TRLN Annual Conference July 28, 2006 John Burger, ASERL Executive Director

2. Quick Overview – ASERL What is ASERL? • Largest regional consortium of research libraries in US (37 libs in 10 states) • Founded in 1956 as informal networking group for library directors • Founded SOLINET, active in creating faculty status for librarians in 1960s • Staffing started in 2000; now much more active program development

3. Quick Overview – ASERL Program Highlights • Reciprocal ILL • Kudzu/Document Delivery • Virtual Reference • Preservation of ETDs (LOCKSS) • Cooperative Storage Trust (in planning) • Training for non-MLS managers • Collection Development Initiative • Staff Exchange w/ HBCU libraries

4. ASERL/TRLN/FCSULWorldCat Collection Analysis Group • Largest WCA groups service in world • 60 libraries at 33 institutions, including 17 ARLs • Nearly 40 million titles held by group • All 10 TRLN libraries subscribed to group & individual WCA service • Training offered last Fall via SOLINET • Subscription expires as of Sept 30, 2006 • Renewal in process, 2/3 are renewing as of now • TRLN renewals??

5. Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL College of William and Mary, VA Duke University, NC Duke University Law Library Duke University Medical Center Library Duke University School of Business East Carolina University, NC Emory University, GA Emory University, Pitts Theology Library Florida A & M University Florida A & M University College of Law Florida Atlantic University Libraries Florida Center for Library Automation Florida Gulf Coast University Florida International University - University Park Florida International University - Biscayne Bay Florida International University - College of Law Florida Solar Energy Center Florida State University – Strozier Library Florida State University - Music Library Florida State University - College of Law Florida State University - College of Medicine Florida State University – Ringling Library George Mason University, VA Louisiana State University North Carolina Central University North Carolina Central University Law Library North Carolina State University Tulane University Howard-Tilton Library, LA Tulane University Law School Library Tulane University Medical Center University of Alabama Libraries University of Central Florida University of Florida - Smathers Library University of Florida - Holland Law Library University of Florida Gainesville Health Science Center Library University of Florida Jacksonville Health Science Center Library University of Kentucky Law Library University of Kentucky Libraries University of Kentucky Medical Center Library University of Louisville, KY University of Memphis, TN University of Miami, FL University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Health Science Library University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Law University of North Carolina at Greensboro University of North Florida University of South Carolina University of South Florida Library System Tampa University of South Florida Health Sciences Library University of South Florida Mental Health Institute Library University of South Florida Poynter Memorial Library University of South Florida, Sarasota -Manatee/New College University of Tennessee Knoxville University of West Florida Vanderbilt University, TN Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University, NC ASERL/TRLN/FCSUL2005-2006 WCA Group Members

6. Anticipated Uses of WCA • Use for accreditation reports, new program proposals, purchasing, weeding, identification of unique materials • Compare breadth of subject area coverage with peers, all of WorldCat • Compare age of collection by subject area, language, format • Comparing holdings of print vs. electronic • Identify titles for preservation, storage • Subscribe for 1 year, then drop it

7. Actual ASERL Member Uses of WCA • Mixed responses to my inquiry • All like it, but some find it easier to use than others • Configuring sub-groups can be tedious, tricky • Identifying “real peers” causes some consternation • WCA’s subject areas/sub-topics are not easily understood/clearly defined (match w/ LCSH/call number ranges would be helpful)

8. ASERL Member Uses of WCA Virginia Tech • Identified 200 monographs held by peers but not VT • Placed 1,100 of those titles on wish list for purchase • Already purchased 500+ titles

9. ASERL Member Uses of WCA Information Alliance (Vandy, UT, UK) • Had pre-existing collection development agreements in a few subject areas to reduce duplication/increase uniqueness of combined collection • Still wading through reports; trying to determine thresholds for decision-making • Helps librarians to know their collection intimately • Would like to connect WCA data with circulation data to determine usage of multiple copies, what to weed/store • Will use to identify titles for preservation • Also use WCA data for bragging rights on occasion • Suggest ASERL/SOLINET consider hiring statistician to coordinate collection assessment activitiess on regional level

10. ASERL Member Uses of WCA University of South Florida • Measured/reported existing resources for ABET Accreditation (Engineering & Technology) • Compared USF w/ NCSU for CompSci resources for accreditation/ planning/budgeting purposes • Used for planning proposed new PhD Program in Literature & Gender Studies (examined resources at Emory & Chapel Hill) • Used to analyze possible “collections of distinction” for possible ARL membership application

11. ASERL Member Uses of WCA Emory University • Compared collections w/ Duke & Vanderbilt • Used for benchmarking of collections by subject areas – already reported on 20 subject areas • Drafted new collection development policy based on WCA findings • LOTS of overlap – ½ of Emory’s collection held by Duke • Already purchased titles, esp in health sciences

12. New WCA Functionalities for 2006-07 At the risk of sounding like a commercial… • 27 pre-formatted groups for comparisons • Includes ‘ARL Top 20’, Google 5 and by subject area • Online demo at http://www.oclc.org/info/wcademo/swf/.

13. Questions? John Burger, Executive Director Association of Southeastern Research Libraries 1438 West Peachtree St, #200 Atlanta, GA 30309 800/999-8558 jburger@solinet.net www.aserl.org