Buy, Don't Borrow: Patron-Driven Collection Development

Amy Kumar


Anderson, K. J., Freeman, R. S., Hérubel, J.-P. V. M., Mykytiuk, L. J., Nixon, J. M., & Ward, S. M. (August 06, 2002). Buy, Don't Borrow. Collection Management, 27, 1-11.

Summary
This article presents the data collected by Purdue University Libraries in 2000, when the libraries implemented their Books on Demand program. The collection development staff purchased items that were requested via interlibrary loan rather than borrowing the items and added them to the permanent collection once the patron returned the item. Five subject bibliographers reviewed the 800 titles that were collected after a two year period, and compared them to titles acquired the traditional way via acquisition policies in place. The study found that the Books on Demand program was a valuable tool and resulted in relevant titles that fit into the larger collection development goals. The study also found that patron driven purchases filled in the interdisciplinary gaps that typically exist in academic collections.
Analysis
Patron-driven collection development policy techniques are gaining attention across library types, and this study provides a deep look at the various issues within academic library collection development policies. Various aspects are explored, including the long term development of a patron driven collection and interdisciplinary titles and where they belong. The circulation statistics provided in the article are enlightening, and the success of the Books on Demand program is encouraging. I think this would be an important study to cite to those collection managers who are reluctant to implement such a program.