CDL-Circulation as a measure of collection adequacy

From: Lynn Sipe <lsipe_at_usc.edu>
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2006 10:28:51 -0800
To: colldv-l_at_usc.edu
From: SUSAN BEIDLER <BEIDLER_at_lycoming.edu>

I work in a small academic library serving about 1500 undergraduates and 
100 faculty.  As I have been trying to do more active assessment of our 
collection, I have been comparing our circulation figures for specific call 
number ranges/disciplines with both the number of new volumes purchased in 
those areas and the total number of volumes for that area.

What I'm wondering is if there is a generally accepted number or percentage 
of the collection's circulation that says it is adequate to meet primary 
clientele needs?

An example might make my question more clear.  Let's say that we have 2623 
books in the circulating psychology call number ranges.  Circulation last 
year for that call number range was 243, or 9.26% of the collection.  How 
do I know if that percentage of use is good or bad?

Thanks for any suggestions you can give me.

Sue Beidler
Snowden Library
Lycoming College
700 College Place
Williamsport PA 17701

phone: 570-321-4084
fax:      570 321-4090
email: <mailto:beidler_at_lycoming.edu>beidler_at_lycoming.edu
Received on Sat Feb 11 2006 - 02:34:55 EST