OCLC Online Computer Library Center
OCLC Research: Collection Assessment
and Use Studies Lynn Silipigni Connaway
Ed O’NeillChandra Prabha
Mark BendigAnya Dyer
OCLC Researches library collections
OCLC Researchers are exploring ways to mine data resources for information that is useful to library managers.
OCLC Researches library collections
Data from WorldCat can provide useful support for collection decisions.
OCLC Researches library collections
Current projects focus on producing information relevant to collection assessment and use.
Publication Dates of Unique Titles in an ARL Collection*
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000U
nkno
wn
Pre
170
0
170
0
180
0
181
0
182
0
183
0
184
0
185
0
186
0
187
0
188
0
189
0
190
0
191
0
192
0
193
0
194
0
195
0
196
0
197
0
198
0
199
0
200
0
*Data reported represent WorldCat holdings of a private ARL institution.
OCLC Researches library collections
WorldCat records and netLibrary usage logs provide rich sources of research data.
Formats of Unique Titles in an ARL Collection*
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Format
Percent
*Data reported represent WorldCat holdings of a private ARL institution.
OCLC Researches library collections
WorldCat data may also be useful for:– collection assessment–attracting or accounting for outside funding
– identifying roles of different library types
Subject Areas of Unique Titles
in an ARL Collection*
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000
AgricultureAnthropology
Art and ArchitectureBiological Sciences
ChemistryComputer Science
Business and EconomicsEducation
Geography and Earth SciencesHistory
LawLibrary Science
Language and LiteratureMathematics
MedicineMusic
Philosophy and ReligionPerforming Arts
Physical Education and RecreationPhysical Sciences
Political SciencePsychology
SociologyEngineering and Technology
Unclassed
10,131
3,545
*Data reported represent WorldCat holdings of a private ARL institution.
OCLC Researches library collections
Researchers believe they may be able to use WorldCat holdings data to estimate the audience level of individual titles.
WorldCat Audience Distribution
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Audience
Per
cent
age
0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1
Mean Audience = 0.828
Median Audience = 0.850
OCLC Researches library collections
The estimated audience level of individual titles would be useful for collection development decisions, readers’ advisory, and reference services
OCLC Online Computer Library Center
For more information
Lynn Silipigni Connaway: [email protected] O’Neill: [email protected]
On the Web: http://www.oclc.org/research/projects/mi/default.htm