1. Usage Analysis of Print Serials
Are They Worth the Investment?
Rob Kairis
Library Director
Kent State University, Stark Campus

3. Analysis Driven by Space Needs/Personnel
Spring 2006 Bound serials collection reduced to accommodate 3 large electronic classrooms (the Math Emporium)
Serials Librarian retired in 2015, position was not replaced
Fall 2017 Current serials shelves reduced to incorporate a Writing Center in the Library

4. Print Serials Usage Measured
Used current issues are collected and recorded before re-shelving (a customized application developed for our library)1
Barcoded bound volumes are checked in for use before re-shelving (usage recorded in ILS item records)
Data from both systems are extracted and combined in Excel
Subscription costs are added to obtain cost per use
1 Davis, Roger (2009). A Web-Based Usage Counter for Serial Collections. The Serials Librarian 57(1-2), doi: /

5. Cost Per Usage Findings (2015/16)
Average cost per subscription = $285.25
Average cost per use = $ (89% of subscription cost)
Average use per subscription = 1.03
Subscriptions not used = 114
Subscriptions used once = 15
Most used (American journal of occupational therapy) = 25
Costs are inflated. Cost per use for zero used titles calculated as 1 use; bound use of recently canceled titles included

6. Cost Per Usage Findings (2015/16)
(Costs not included)…
Direct binding costs
Personnel costs…
Daily Check in
Claiming/tracking orders
Processing invoices
Preparing and receiving binding shipments
Space costs

7. Cost Per Use Trends

8. Current Strategies to Cut Costs
Cancel print journals duplicated online (in permanent repositories, OhioLINK Electronic Journals Center)
Eliminate non-relevant titles (International Gymnast, Jane’s Intelligence Review)
Binding savings (no longer bind JSTOR titles) after issues are covered online (when the moving wall moves) print issues are discarded

9. Future Model Selectively subscribe online to the most useful titles
Cancel print for journals duplicated in licensed databases (the risk in losing perpetual access out-weighs the cost to maintain subscription)
Convert to “Current year only” popular magazines (to further reduce binding costs)
To fill gaps for canceled subscriptions and expand access, employ a document delivery service

10. Usage Analysis of Print Serials
Are They Aren’t Worth the Investment?
Rob Kairis
Library Director
Kent State University, Stark Campus