Building Collections through Purchase Suggestions in Academic Libraries

Peterman, Rhian

Ibacache, K. (2020). Building Collections through Purchase Suggestions in Academic Libraries,    Collection Management, 45(2), 179-192, https://doi.org/10.1080/01462679.2019.1666332

This article outlines the positive impact patron driven acquisition models can have on the collection development process. The authors assessed data from over 100 universities using the Suggest a Purchase program, looking at what impact the information captured on the forms could have on collection development decisions. The authors advocate for using form submission patron driven acquisitions as a means for a more user-focused, tailored, and functional collection development strategy. Collection development librarians can use this process to better meet user needs as well as increase the circulation of library materials. 

    Within this framework, patron driven acquisition is not a replacement of librarian driven collection development, instead it could be meaningfully used to augment and focus collections. However, further information and data points needs to be gathered regarding the viability of implementing this collection method.