[Original posting on this topic appeared in COLLDV-L no. 1272 and was
reproduced with Response #1 in no. 1290. This follow-up is from the poster
of Response #1.]
From: "Mbambo B, Library, 10006018" <MBAMBOB_at_NOKA.ub.bw>
I returned from leave to find several messages on collection
mapping. I am replying to the list firstly to inform
more people about the subject but to also precipitate
a debate on collection mapping.
The methodology of collection mapping is very simple. You count the
number of holdings by class number and then plot this on a graph.
That is very simple. But then so what if there are 100 here and two
there? The analysis is what is thorough. Collection size is
then compared to student size, research level, publication date
etc. One has to "zoom" in and out of the map in order to closely
examine the content in relation to size. Sometimes one builds a
map within a map in order to deal with variations within the content
of the collection, examining a number of variables in the process.
In my experience the map based on the count of holdings in one class
number is only an initial step in collection analysis process. One
needs to follow that with examining the reasons for variations, and
then use the data for collection building.
Any views on the subject?
Buhle
Buhle Mbambo Tel.(267) 351151 ext 2307
University of Botswana Library Fax.(267) 357291
P.B. 0022 e-mail:mbambob_at_noka.ub.bw
Gaborone
BOTSWANA
SOUTHERN AFRICA \ * /
`HAVE A BLESSED DAY'
Received on Tue Jan 21 1997 - 09:34:55 EST