CDL: Assessing Print Journal Usage?

Assessing Print Journal Usage?

From: Maris Hayashi <mhayashi_at_fau.edu>

Greetings,

How do you assess print journal usage at your library? What methods do 
you use to evaluate usage? I am primarily interested in hearing from 
libraries that undertake (or have undertaken) assessments of current 
print journal subscriptions. How do you determine whether or not a print 
only title should be renewed each year?

We currently don’t have a way to track usage of print journals since 
they are non-circulating and are shelved within the general circulating 
collection. Plus, we do not keep statistics on titles that have been 
reshelved. (Using a non-scientific method, I’ve physically gone to the 
stacks to see if the issues look like they have been touched in the last 
few months, or if they appear to have layers of dust, which they usually 
do.)

Our library no longer provides quiet reading spaces where faculty can 
come and read the latest issues of these journals. So, we are left to 
wonder if the titles are getting used and if there is any justification 
for renewing them each year. We speak with faculty and get their input, 
but they let us know that the print journals are important and that they 
should be renewed each year even when we explain that our materials 
budget has remained flat, subscription prices have increased, and we’re 
finding it more and more difficult to add new material. When times are 
tough and cutbacks have to be made, the STEM faculty are fine if we use 
their book budget for journals, but faculty in some of the social 
sciences, arts, and humanities are more hesitant and insistent that the 
books AND print journals are necessities.

I should note that we go with e-only titles, when they are available per 
our collection development policy, but some titles in literature 
(English and non-English languages), business, education, and, 
surprisingly, science are only available in print format.

Any insights, suggestions, anecdotes, or advice on how you’ve handled 
reviews of your current print journal subscriptions are appreciated.

Thank you,

Maris

Maris Hayashi, MA, MLS
Head, Collection Development / Associate Librarian
Florida Atlantic University | Wimberly Library
Boca Raton, Florida 33431