Building Collections through Purchase Suggestions in Academic Libraries

• Published in: Collection management Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 179 - 192
• Main Author: Ibacache, Kathia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Routledge 02.04.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Academic libraries; Collection development; Librarians; patron initiated purchases; Subject specialists; suggest a purchase program; user driven acquisition
• ISSN: 0146-2679; 1545-2549
• DOI: 10.1080/01462679.2019.1666332

This research studies the fields contained in "Suggest a Purchase" forms from 100 university libraries, focusing on the data they can provide to subject specialists to make decisions about collection development. The research will consider whether the content of "Suggest a Purchase" forms may be used to aid subject specialists and collection development librarians to make decisions concerning the purchasing of books and other materials. Statistical evidence gathered through the "Suggest a Purchase" forms is analyzed to justify the relevancy of specific fields. The research examines whether patron-initiated purchases may offer data concerning collection gaps and trends in users' needs. The paper concludes with recommendations for best practices in the design and content of patron suggestion forms.