ACQNET: RE- OCLC collection analysis service ( 2 replies)

(1)-------------------------------------------------

Date:  Sun, 19 Nov 2006 18:37:04 -0500
From:  Steven Harris (Utah State U.) <stehar_at_library.lib.usu.edu>
Subject: RE- OCLC collection analysis service

We're using WorldCat Collection Analysis (WCA) at Utah State University.
Thus far, we have used it mainly to generate data about our own
collection: just title count by subject and things like that. For example:

http://library.usu.edu/coldev/docs/USU-Profile-oct2006.html

We haven't done that many comparisons thus far.  We are subscribed as a
single library and not as a consortium.  But I have used it to compare
our collections with a few of our peers and consortium co-members.  I
have also selected particular libraries for comparison based on interest
from a few departments, compariing our art and design collections, for
example, to Arizona, Cincinnati, and Cornell.  I have also used it to
compare with another library and focus in on a particular subject to
view the titles that we don't have and actually select some books for
purchase that way.

I'm still trying to sort out, philosophically speaking, what the overlap
and uniqueness tell me about my collection.  I think it will be some
time before I'm adept at interpreting the data WCA gives me.  But I'm
always thinking of new things to do with it.

Steven Harris
Collection Development Librarian
Utah State University
435-797-3861

(2)--------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 19 Nov 2006 21:39:44 -0500
From: Suzy S. Palmer (U. of Louisville) <sspalm01_at_louisville.edu>
Subject: RE - OCLC collection analysis service

We have been using it at the University of Louisville for about a year,
and I'd be happy to talk about it.  I did a presentation at the Charleston
Conference with a colleague, and will be presenting a variation on the same, 
with some updates, at the OCLC users' group meeting at ALA Midwinter.

Suzy 
 

Suzy Szasz Palmer
Associate Dean
Collections, Preservation & Digital Initiatives
William F. Ekstrom Library, Room 224
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY  40292
phone: 502-852-3523
fax: 502-852-7394
sspalm01_at_louisville.edu


------Original message

Date:  Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:23:24 - 0500
From:  Allison Mays (Millsaps College) <maysap_at_millsaps.edu>
Subject:  OCLC collection analysis service

Is anyone using the collection analysis service from OCLC? If so, are 
you willing to talk about how you're using it?  

Thanks,
 
Allison P. Mays
Coordinator of Acquisitions & Cataloging
Millsaps College
1701 N. State Street
Jackson, MS 39210
601- 974- 1083
maysap_at_millsaps.edu


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