Doing More With Less: Increasing the Value of the Consortial Catalog

Abstract

Purpose

This case study describes how one library leveraged shared resources by defaulting to a consortial catalog search.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a case study approach to describe steps involved in changing the catalog interface, then assess the project with a usability study and an analysis of borrowing statistics.

Findings

The authors determined the benefit to library patrons was significant and resulted in increased borrowing. The usability study revealed elements of the catalog interface needing improvement.

Practical implications

Taking advantage of an existing resource increased the visibility of consortial materials to better serve library patrons. The library provided these resources without significant additional investment.

Originality/value

While the authors were able to identify other libraries using their consortial catalog as the default search, no substantive published research on its benefits exists in the literature. This chapter will be valuable to libraries with limited budgets that would like to increase patron access to materials.

Citation

Cox, E.J., Graves, S., Imre, A. and Wagner, C. (2014), "Doing More With Less: Increasing the Value of the Consortial Catalog", New Directions in Information Organization (Library and Information Science, Vol. 7), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 209-228. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1876-0562(2013)0000007014