Consistent, Holistic, and Objective: Using a Scorecard for Electronic Resource Evaluation and Renewal Decision-Making

Abstract

Collection assessment is a critical component of collection development and management in academic libraries. The rising cost of subscription resources puts pressure on library budgets and further drives the need for holistic and transparent processes for resource evaluation and renewal decision-making. An assessment instrument enables librarians to critically evaluate resources in a consistent manner and paves the way for objective decision-making. In this article, the author describes the renewal process at Bailey/Howe Library of the University of Vermont which uses an Electronic Resources Renewal Scorecard to make renewal decisions and incorporate feedback from subject liaison librarians for subscription databases.

Keywords:

• Academic libraries
• collection development
• collection assessment
• electronic resources
• subscription renewal

Notes

1 “Ongoing Evaluation and Access” and “Annual Review” are two stages in the TERMS electronic resources lifecycle and two chapters in the Library Technology Report