1. Collection analysis – Demonstrating value via the liaison program
David Brennan, MLS, Assistant Librarian, Collection Development/Digital Resources Management
George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library
Introduction
In the fall of 2013, the George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library undertook a collection analysis project to determine serial and monograph holdings across Penn State in subject areas related to faculty librarian liaison assignments in the Health Sciences at Penn State Hershey.
Objectives:
To assist in collection development activities by relating purchase decisions to strategic priorities
To inform library users of holdings and improve access
To assist liaison librarians in acquiring a better understanding of core resources in their liaison areas.
Phase 1 - Benchmarks and Data
Determine current holdings of monographs and journals in selected subject areas (PSU holds 53% of core monographs and 73% of core journal titles against benchmarks)
Liaison librarians selected subject areas to correspond with their departments:
62 monograph subject matches and 52 journal subject matches to 30 liaison departments.
Monographs benchmarked with Doody’s Core Titles
Journals benchmarked by 5-year Impact Factor
Phase 2 - Apply Results and Prioritize Purchases
Liaison librarians analyzed the Harrell