Circulation analysis of an engineering monograph approval plan

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to describe the quantitative evaluation of an engineering monograph approval plan using circulation analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The circulation frequency of titles purchased under the approval plan was analyzed, and compared with the circulation frequency of all engineering books during the same time period, purchased both individually and through the plan.

Findings

It was found that 23 percent of the approval plan books circulated, compared with 6 percent of engineering books as a whole. There was considerable variation in circulation frequency between engineering disciplines, but approval plan books circulated much more frequently in all subject areas.

Research limitations/implications

This study assesses circulation only during the most recent complete year, which means that the approval plan books are all new books. However, more than half of the books in the engineering collection are less than ten years old, so age is unlikely to be the only reason for the much higher circulation of approval books.

Practical implications

Since this evaluation concludes that the approval plan does have value for Rowan University's users, such a plan might be worth considering by other academic libraries looking for a better way to obtain new engineering monographs which serve user needs.

Originality/value

While the circulation data described in this study reflect the unique needs of the Rowan University user community, they can serve as a useful benchmark for engineering librarians who want to assess the usage of their monograph collections. The study also has value for academic librarians who are evaluating an approval plan from YBP or another vendor.

Citation

Brush, D. (2007), "Circulation analysis of an engineering monograph approval plan", Collection Building, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 59-62. https://doi.org/10.1108/01604950710742095