Planning and Implementing

a Just-In-Time Collection
Development Model in an
Academic Library
Presented by Coby Condrey
University of North Texas Libraries
May 2019 : The Acquisitions Institute at Timberline
Lodge
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Contributors
Laurel Crawford, Head of Collection Development

Todd Enoch, Head, Serials/ER Unit

Elizabeth Fuseler Avery, Head of Collection Development

(Retired)

Coby Condrey, Collection Development

Liaison Librarian 2
Overview
 Introduction & Background
 Literature
 Evolution of a New Model
 Themes, Goals & Big Picture Vision
 Implementation: Infrastructure · Documentation ·
Communication · New Initiatives
 Outcomes: Successes · Challenges · Future Directions
 Conclusion

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Introduction: The Environment
 Historical Milieu
 Subject Specialist Selection
 Formula-Driven Budget
 Disruption Factors
 Budget Shortfalls
 New Acquisitions Options
 Patron Needs Unmet

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Background: UNT
 The University of North Texas
 The Libraries
 Enrollment = Funding
 Predictors of Need = Librarians & Faculty
 Subject Area Budgeting
 Other Types of Budgeting

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Background: Issues
 Spending Rates
 High-Cost Requests
 Variable Participation on Selection Decisions
 Perceptions of Budget Ownership
 Measuring "Success"
 Flat Enrollment vs. Serials Inflation = Major Cuts
 Rapid Expansion of Electronic Resources
 Increased Demand for Reference & Instruction
 Time to Re-Think: White Paper
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Literature
 Few Pre-existing Models
 James Madison University : Holism
 Trends Toward Just-In-Time : DDA · PDA · ILL
 Collections-As-A-Service
 Evaluating Evolving Collection Development Work
 Challenges with E-books
 Structuring Budgets

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Movement Toward A New Approach
 Contributing Factors
 Philosophical Stance
 Sources of Information Needed
 Desired Features:
Sustainable · Holistic · Flexible · Evidence-Based
User-Centered · Iterative · Risk-Tolerant · Agile
 Proposal: Shift to JIT, Collection-As-A-Service …

Access-Based Collection Development (ABCD)

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ABCD: Themes
 Sustainability
Well-Structured | Reasonable | Achievable
 Holism & Inclusivity
Increased Information-Sharing | Data | Interdisciplinarity
 Flexibility
Scalable | Experimental
 Evidence-Based
Usage | ILL | Gap Analysis | Subjective Inputs

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ABCD: Goals
 Excellent User Experience
 Discoverability & Access @ Point of Need
 More Big-Picture Design | Less Title-By-Title
 Use New Options to Maximize Funding
 Increase Collaboration
 Create Policies & Workflows
 Exceptions

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ABCD: Vision & Opportunities
 Access, Not Ownership
 Budget Structure Revamp
 Collection "Sculpting"
 New Framework : How the Collections Support Research
 Interdisciplinarity
 Collection Map

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ABCD Implementation (1 of 3)
 Infrastructure
 Workflows

 Tools

 Documentation

 Fund Design
 Firms Orders: Enhancements | Multi-Year Deals | DDA | Routine Requests
 Ongoing Expenses: Serials + Inflation | New Subscriptions
 Exceptions

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ABCD Implementation (2 of 3)
 Collection Development Team
 New Roles: Oversight
 Balancing Objective & Subjective Data
 Group Decision-making
 Meetings
 CD Team - Monthly
 Subject Area Expert – Annual
 Other, Ad Hoc Meetings
 Less Formal Channels
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ABCD Implementation (3 of 3)
 Documentation
 Location

 Types: Workflows | Requests | Evidence Reports | Decisions

Progress Updates | Collection Map | Rubrics | SWOTs
 Communication
 Transparent, Consistent & Frequent
 Multi-channel

 Inclusive

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New Initiatives (1 of 2)
 DDA Program Expansion
 Consolidation to One DDA-Management Service
 Profile Parameter Revisions
 Others: Streaming Media & Single-Source E-books
 Collection Enhancements
 Tied to 10-Year Assessment Cycle
 Assessment Report: Gaps & Recommendations
3 – 6 Subjects / Disciplines Annually
 Mostly Monographs
 Allocation Per Enhancement: $10K - $80K 15
New Initiatives (2 of 2)
 Annual Serials Review
 Scope

 Factors: Price, Inflation, Usage, Subjective Feedback, Others

 Poor Performance Overall  Cancel | Promote | Investigate Issues
 Watchlist
 At-Risk Titles
 Promotion Targets
 3-Year Window to Prove Value
 Other Strategies
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Outcomes – Successes (1 of 2)
 Team Approach & Collaboration
 Communication  Increased …
Coordination, Confidence, Shared Knowledge
 Budget Flexibility
 Collection Map  Better Tracking of Interdisciplinary Resources
 Relationships Between Libraries’ Divisions Improve

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Outcomes – Successes (2 of 2)
 More Evidence-Based Decisions
 More DDA Suppliers & Acquisitions Models
 Streamlined Workflows & Updated Policies
 Improved Structure for Meetings & Documentation
 Lagniappes
 Fast Action on Windfalls / Leftovers
 Better Intra-Department Understanding
 Increased Cooperation, Decreased Silos

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Outcomes – Challenges
 Wide Variety of JIT Models, Some Unstable or Difficult
 Token-Based & Mediation-Required Programs Unfeasible
 Some Highest-Quality Content Unavailable via JIT
 Management Problems with DDA Programs
 Too Many Meetings, Documentation Burdensome
 Budget: Persistent Fears, Complexity in Structure
 Adjustments in Behavior Slower Than Desired
 Data Overload

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Future Directions
 Scaling Back
 Being Bolder
 Improving Access to the Collection Map
 Adjusting DDA
 Adding Evaluations

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Lessons Learned & Final Thoughts
 Flexibility & Communality  Better Collection Development
 Frequently Review JIT Options
 Continue Gathering Multiple Perspectives
 Interdisciplinary Approach  All Subjects Addressed
 Nimbleness
 User-Centeredness
 Keep Tasting "The Soup"

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Thank You!
 Questions?
 Comments?

Contact:
Coby Condrey
https://library.unt.edu/people/coby-condrey/
Coby.Condrey@unt.edu 22