Abstract

All academic libraries are undergoing changes in collections and services, with an emphasis on reorganization and assessment. For the first time in decades, the UWSP Albertson Library has started a weeding and collection assessment of our entire STACKS print holdings. Our seven-floor Learning Resource Center has a pending renovation project. We are working to weed the collection so it occupies “less” space, while at the same time striving to enhance the collection so that it provides “more” expansive densities and is up-to-date, addressing campuswide curricula changes and needs associated with program growth. This paper highlights numerous “less is more” perspectives.

  • LESS: Physical Stacks, Print item numbers; Duplicate and multiple copies; Unused/outdated/irrelevant holdings.
  • MORE: Space for other services and stakeholders; New technologies; Student retention; Consortia sharing, “One system, one library initiative;” Modernized Collection Development Policy; Currency of collection; Core Collection allocation fund; First Year Program allocation; e-books (firm & DDA-YBP); Compliance with National bibliographies and ACRL; Library outreach and audience interaction; Faculty interaction (“just say no”); and Global impact on literacy > discards > Partnership with Better World Books (http://www.betterworldbooks.com/) and Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas, Inc. (http://www.wisnic.org/).
  • Four-point e-system collection assessment: Bowker Book Analysis System (BBAS): Resources for College Libraries (RCL); Books in Print (BIP); ShelfLister for inventory/usage. Assessment of assessment: How did we do? How much did we remove? Faculty input surprises?
  • LibGuide for Collection assessment project (http://libraryguides.uwsp.edu/ca

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Less Is More: Origins of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Collection Assessment Plan

All academic libraries are undergoing changes in collections and services, with an emphasis on reorganization and assessment. For the first time in decades, the UWSP Albertson Library has started a weeding and collection assessment of our entire STACKS print holdings. Our seven-floor Learning Resource Center has a pending renovation project. We are working to weed the collection so it occupies “less” space, while at the same time striving to enhance the collection so that it provides “more” expansive densities and is up-to-date, addressing campuswide curricula changes and needs associated with program growth. This paper highlights numerous “less is more” perspectives.

  • LESS: Physical Stacks, Print item numbers; Duplicate and multiple copies; Unused/outdated/irrelevant holdings.
  • MORE: Space for other services and stakeholders; New technologies; Student retention; Consortia sharing, “One system, one library initiative;” Modernized Collection Development Policy; Currency of collection; Core Collection allocation fund; First Year Program allocation; e-books (firm & DDA-YBP); Compliance with National bibliographies and ACRL; Library outreach and audience interaction; Faculty interaction (“just say no”); and Global impact on literacy > discards > Partnership with Better World Books (http://www.betterworldbooks.com/) and Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas, Inc. (http://www.wisnic.org/).
  • Four-point e-system collection assessment: Bowker Book Analysis System (BBAS): Resources for College Libraries (RCL); Books in Print (BIP); ShelfLister for inventory/usage. Assessment of assessment: How did we do? How much did we remove? Faculty input surprises?
  • LibGuide for Collection assessment project (http://libraryguides.uwsp.edu/ca