Developing a Library Collection Development Allocation

1
Developing a Library Collection Development
Allocation

• Jeff Bailey, Assistant Library Director
• Linda Creibaum, Acquisitions Librarian
• Dean B. Ellis Library
• Arkansas State University
• November 7, 2008

2
Background and History

• In 1997 the library had no allocation formula
• Funds had not been reallocated/redistributed in
  many years
• One department accounted for nearly 20 of all
  collection development expenditures
• There was no funding to support new programs

3
Background and History - continued

• Search of literature to learn of existing
  allocation formulas
• Chose to base our formula on one used by Colorado
  State University

4
The Formula

• The factors we used
• Semester credit hour production (actual
  enrollment)
• Number of classes offered
• Degrees awarded
• Faculty per department
• Cost of materials from Bowker Annual
• Other factors that could be used
• Use of materials
• Number of courses in catalog
• Number of degree programs

5
The Formula - continued

• Assigning weights to each factor
• Determined based upon your institution and your
  priorities
• We chose not to vary weights within a factor, but
  it can be done
• Do test runs and adjust weights if needed
• We chose to run a single formula for all
  allocations
• Can do separate formula runs for books and
  journals
• How the formula works (by a non-mathematician)

6
Screen shot of a previous formula run
7
Additional thoughts

• You determine how much to allocate and how much
  to keep back for library use
• You may choose to make adjustments to individual
  allocations after running the formula
• Do no harm
• Nonparticipation
• Special entities

8
In Conclusion

• Document, document, document!
• You can make the decisions and modify the formula
  to fit your librarys needs
• Contact one of us if you would like an electronic
  copy of the basic formula

9
Contact Information

• Jeff Bailey
• Assistant Library Director
• Dean B. Ellis Library
• Arkansas State University Jonesboro
• P.O. Box 2040
• State University, AR 72467
• 870-972-2724
• jbailey_at_astate.edu

• Linda Creibaum
• Acquisitions Librarian
• Dean B. Ellis Library
• Arkansas State University Jonesboro
• P.O. Box 2040
• State University, AR 72467
• 870-972-3354
• lcreibaum_at_astate.edu