Do Reviews Matter An Analysis of ChoiceReviewed Books in the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries

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Do Reviews Matter? An Analysis of
Choice-Reviewed Books in the Colorado Alliance of
Research Libraries Using the Spectra Dimension
Collection Analysis Tool Colorado Academic
Library Summit June 1, 2007

• Michael Levine-Clark, University of Denver
• miclark_at_du.edu
• Margaret M. Jobe, University of Colorado at
  Boulder
• margaret.jobe_at_colorado.edu

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The Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries

• Auraria Library
• CU Denver
• Metro State College
• Comm. College of Denver
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Colorado State University
• Denver Public Library
• Regis University

• University of Colorado, Boulder
• University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
• University of Denver
• University of Northern Colorado
• University of Wyoming

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Spectra Dimension

• Collection analysis tool http//sirius.librarydyna
  mics.net/dimension/
• Holdings from eight libraries
• Bib and item records, including circ data
• Most recent seven years
• Ability to compare usage across different types
  of libraries
• Data formatted to allow analysis of usage on an
  annual basis
• Choice data (1998-2006)

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Acquisition Patterns in the Colorado Alliance

• Most libraries rely primarily on an approval plan
• Several make an effort to collect
  Choice-recommended titles
• Those with smaller monographic collections
  budgets seem to make greater use of Choice

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Brief Literature Review

• As collection ages, no differences seen in
  circulation patterns. Used data and titles from
  Schmitt and Saunders. (Saunders, 1996)
• Small relationship between quality as measured by
  book review evaluations and circulation. (Schmitt
  and Saunders, 1983)
• Despite limitations when compared to circulation,
  Choice remains a key tool for collection
  building. (Stebelman, 1996)

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Choice/Alliance Overview
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Choice/Alliance Average Number of Copies Per
Title
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Choice/Alliance Annualized Use Per Title
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Annualized Use by Discipline
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Choice/Alliance Zero Usage
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Comparison with Undergrad Institutions
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Conclusions

• Choice titles do circulate slightly better
• Patterns not consistent across call number ranges
• Zero usage pattern is fairly consistent
• Are we purchasing more copies of Choice titles
  than needed?

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Next Steps

• More detailed analysis of Choice holdings and
  circulation data
• By date
• By narrower call no. range

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Brief Bibliography

• Saunders, E. Stewart. 1996. The effect of quality
  on circulation in an aging collection. Collection
  Management 20, (3-4) 149-156.
• Schmitt, J. P., and S. Saunders. 1983. An
  assessment of Choice as a tool for selection.
  College Research Libraries 44, (5) 375-380.
• Stebelman, Scott. 1996. Using Choice as a
  collection assessment tool. Collection Building
  15, (2) 4-11.