Charles Ludwig 

CL 

Kolendo, J. (2019). Reference analytics as an unexpected collection development tool. Collection Management, 44(1), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/01462679.2018.1555069 

This article offers a way for librarians to employ an already-existing tool, RefAnalytics, for use in the collection management sphere. Kolendo shows the readers how the Gwendolyn Brooks Library at Chicago State University adopted this practice, using the program in a study to reorder missing items, update books related to various topics, and order new books on issues/topics the library had not yet purchased. 

RefAnalytics is part of Springshare’s LibAnswers, designed to track various statistical datasets. However, after training their team on the ways to use the program for its unintended purpose, the library staff found the program to be an easy and inexpensive way to collect collection development data by using the “Internal Note” field. It was here where they would record the need for a new book on a particular topic, a replacement item on the shelves, etc. They used the acronym “cd:” to begin any note related to collection development. 

In the end, the system was used to success, with the team at the library being able to record their collection development issues while not having to learn a new program, saving time that would be used with a familiarization process. This also made it likely that the team members would enter collection development data while staffing the reference desk. Issues still exist as of this articles printing (how to download data, etc.), but the early results from this study were promising.