Implementing and Assessing Use-Driven Acquisitions: A Practical Guide for Librarians

The paradigm for library acquisitions and collection development has shifted from a subjective “just-in-case” model to an evidence-based “just-in-time” one. All libraries must be open to this shift and examine how use-driven acquisitions (UDAs) can improve their collections and their usage, and all-important patron satisfaction. Whether or not your library is currently using a UDA model or looking to implement one, librarians will find this excellent work a worthy and necessary guide that can be read sequentially or can be used as a reference for edification on specific aspects of UDAs.

The authors have experience in the trenches, as they state in the preface: “We bring unique perspectives to this book since we are acquisitions, e-resources, and collection management librarians who have extensive experience working with UDA plans in academic libraries as well as a leading book vendor” (p. xiii). As such, they offer in-depth information on the ins and outs, positives and negatives of UDA, and, most importantly, guidance to enable readers to successfully implement and manage these systems.

This seemingly exhaustive book is divided into four main parts: “Part I: Developing Use-Driven Acquisition Plans,” “Part II: E-Book UDA Plans,” “Part III: Targeting Libraries and Collections,” and Part IV: “Evaluation and Emerging Strategies.” All twelve chapters end with key points and a list of further readings, and most conclude with library case studies. Insightful tables are found throughout the book.

Three chapters in part I cover the basic elements and features of each use-driven model and how to manage them, budget strategies to integrate use-driven plans into collection development, and advice on working with vendors and content providers. In part II, three chapters offer insightful information on e-books, a proven popular format for UDA. Both demand-driven acquisitions (DDA) and evidence-based acquisitions (EBA) models are described. A chapter is devoted to “Shared and Consortial Plans” and includes tables outlining “Reasons to Launch Shared E-Book UDA Plans” and “Phases of Implementation.” In part III, four chapters discuss “Patron-Driven Acquisition of Print Materials,” “Interlibrary Loan—Purchase on Demand (PoD),” “Streaming Video,” and “Patron-Driven Acquisition in Public and Special Libraries.” In part IV, chapter 11 provides an “Assessment of UDA Plans.” The authors emphasize the importance of assessment when deploying a UDA plan. The final chapter, chapter 12, presents a series of projected “Future Directions.” As the authors state, “we are confident that use-driven acquisitions will become ubiquitous in libraries and be an ongoing element of collection development management strategies” (p. xv).

Medical and health sciences librarians must determine their own parameters for their implementation and growth of UDA models. This work serves as a practical guide that will help at all steps along the way.