Your library collection development policy most likely states that your collection is continuously reviewed to ensure that it is up-to-date and useful to your patrons. There are so many factors to consider when making acquisitions to add to or to update your library’s core health sciences collections:
- Is the library providing access to the most current materials that detail advances in research and medicine?
- With fewer resources, what is the best method to remain current in collection management and acquisitions?
- Is the circulation of print titles and usage for digital eBooks meeting expectations?
- Does the cost-per-use justify purchasing the new edition or latest volume in a series?
- Is the library staff effectively managing the transition from print books to eBooks?
These questions are not new ones, and yet, many libraries are having difficulty assessing their collections. Before you make an acquisition decision you need to know if your collection is up-to-date and, if it’s not, which is the most effective way to update it? Maybe most importantly, what will it cost?
“Next to emptying the outdoor book drop on cold and snowy days, weeding is the most undesirable job in the library. It is also one of the most important. Collections that go unweeded tend to be cluttered, unattractive, and unreliable informational resources.” – Will Manley, “The Manley Arts,” Booklist, March 1, 1996, p. 1108
This is where a good vendor partner can assist! Taking advantage of the collection management programs and services offered by the vendor can help ease this process.
Rittenhouse is currently showcasing our free collection review service: Core Collection Update. Leave the work and research to us! We’ll review your health sciences print and eBook collection and let you know if there are new print editions, and volumes in series. We will also provide you with information on which eBooks are available on the R2 Digital Library. It’s easy to begin this no obligation process:
- Provide us with your shelf list and edition number: ISBN-10 or ISBN-13
- We’ll research your list and provide you with the metadata for which books are available in new print editions
- We’ll also let you know if the latest edition of a print title is available on the R2 Digital Library for eBook acquisition
- We’ll provide a price quote to update the collection, for print and digital
- You simply select the print and/or eBooks that you’d like to purchase. Let us know, and we’ll process your order!
This is a no-risk way to ensure that you are informed about your health sciences collection, and it’s a free service! For more information contact your Rittenhouse representative or email your shelf list today to: marketing@rittenhouse.com.
Rittenhouse Writes 