WorldCat Collection Analysis Lugene Schemper, Theological Librarian Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, MI) Terry Robertson, Seminary Librarian Andrews University (Berrien Springs, MI) ATLA Collection Evaluation and Development Interest Group Ottawa 27 June 2008

Overview WCat Collection Analysis allows you to… Analyze collection strengths and weaknesses Compare collection to peer collections Measure collection against bibliographies (e.g., Outstanding Academic Titles) Measure collection against predefined groups ( e.g.,10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges) Analyze ILL usage

Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary– a brief overview... Calvin College – undergraduates Calvin Theological Seminary – 300 students Mostly M.Div. or M.T. S; also Th.M. in various areas of theology; Ph.D. in theology (historical, systematic, philosophical, moral) Seminary faculty and college religion faculty - 45 Hekman Library serves both institutions Library has 500,000+ bound book volumes (Religion and Theology – 125,000) Collection budget for Religion and Theology (books) is $90,000+/yr

Hope College St. Olaf College Wheaton College Andrews Univ. Valparaiso Univ. Western Th. Seminary (MI) Trinity Int’l University (IL) Fuller Th. Seminary (CA) Westminster Th. Seminary (CA) Westminster Th. Seminary (PA)

How we’ve used WorldCat Collection Analysis at Hekman Library Assessing Trends in Biblical Studies Acquisitions Asian Religions – Collection Assessment for new programs Ongoing Collection Development in Various Areas of Religious Studies

Assessing Trends in Biblical Studies Acquisitions Acquisitions budget drop in 2001 (30%), mostly affecting biblical studies acquisitions. Present data to Biblical Studies division to advise them of collecting trends.

Biblical Studies Acquisitions

Biblical Studies Acquisitions – Comparative

Asian Religions – Collection Assessment New college faculty member in comparative history of religions who requests collection development Increase in college student enrollment in world religions classes New seminary requirements in world religions

Action – Asian Religions 1. Compare collection with that of pre-defined “Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges” by subject matter, e.g. “Buddhism,” “Confucianism,” “Japan-Religions” 2. Download unique materials in predefined group to Excel. 3. Student workers cull out records of works we already own. 4. Submit list for review to knowledgeable subject specialist(s).

Action – Asian Religions 1. Compare collection with that of pre-defined “Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges” by subject matter, e.g. “Buddhism,” “Confucianism,” “Japan-Religions” 2. Download unique materials in predefined group to Excel. 3. Student workers cull out records of works we already own. 4. Submit list for review to knowledgeable subject specialist(s).

Ongoing Collection Development in Various Areas of Religious Studies Defined Theology Peer Group: Western Theological Seminary (MI) Westminster Theological Seminary (CA) Westminster Theological Seminary (PA) Trinity International University (IL) Fuller Seminary (CA) Compared holdings at a subject-specific level to peer group to identify gaps in collection for works published since 1995.

Strengths of WCatCA: Ability to limit analysis in a variety of ways with a lot of flexibility Ability to limit by LC number ranges and categories Provision of predefined groups, authoritative lists, and self-defined peer groups Ability to produce charts and graphs OCLC seems open and responsive to customer feedback

A Few Observations: This tool seems to be most useful for print book materials. Number of unique materials is over-reported because of duplicate records (but…) Think hard about choosing “peer institutions” I’ve not addressed cooperative collecting issues here, possible uses for weeding, the ILL analysis component.