Monitoring Serials Use in a Science and Technology Library: Results of a Ten Year Study

Abstract

Science serials continue to increase in size and price. Realizing that space and funding limitations would necessitate tough decisions concerning the cancellation and storage of serials titles, the University of Akron Science and Technology Library initiated a simple, inexpensive manual use study. The use of colored stickers and pencils provided helpful visual cues for storage decisions. The use of a dBASE database enabled use and cost/use analyses for cancellation decisions. Currently in its tenth year, the use study has enabled the library to store more than 75,000 volumes and cancel more than 500 low use titles.

Key Words:

• Collection development
• database management systems
• scientific and technical libraries
• serial publications
• use studies