The Big Picture: A Holistic View of E-book Acquisitions

Abstract

The merging of two departments into the Acquisitions and Collection Development Department afforded Loyola Marymount University an opportunity to rethink existing workflows, with the acquisition of electronic books (e-books) being identified as a critical task to review. Process mapping was used to show the complexity of different tasks being performed in the department and to provide a visualization mechanism for staff to see how their work fit into a sequence of actions as part of a larger workflow. The authors listed the types of acquisition models used at their library for e-books and constructed process maps for the following six major types: 1. Firm order e-books; 2. Firm order e-book collections; 3. Approval order e-books; 4. Demand-driven e-books; 5. Standing order e-books, and; 6. Subscription e-book database. The authors merged the individual process maps into a single visualization to view the entirety of the acquisition process as a whole and to show how the different e-book acquisition models relate and diverge from one another.

Expediting the delivery of content to library users: When to buy versus when to borrow

“…As it pertains to developing a long-lasting collection, it is not necessarily safe to rely solely on patrons using DDA because a user is often seeking information that solves an immediate problem or project, and longterm research goals may not be represented by items selected today (Goedeken & Lawson, 2015). One of the critiques of the DDA model is that it removes the librarian from the selection process, thereby giving the patron too much control (Lewis & Kennedy, 2019). However, it is also worth noting that the 80/20 rule tends to stand firm, meaning that a large portion of titles librarians select are never circulated-and not because they are not quality titles (Walker & Arthur, 2018).…”

“…Streamlining delivery workflows are mission critical to the success of any ILL or DDA program (Garskof, Morris, Ballock, & Anderson, 2016). There is always a need to ensure that staff are working as efficiently as possible to avoid duplication of work or missed steps in any process (Lewis & Kennedy, 2019). Whenever comparing cost and content, it is also imperative to consider the different models of acquisition in terms of workflow (Spratt et al, 2017).…”

“…And, in turn, workflow should remain fluid and changeable, constantly evolving to leverage against obstacles facing both ILL and acquisitions (Vermeer, 2015). Process mapping, workflow analysis, and consultations with staff are key ingredients for creating a seamless access system (Lewis & Kennedy, 2019). Staff are also key to investigating issues with out-ofscope materials in a DDA pool (Roll, 2016).…”

“…Once the process is familiar, a system can be designed that works for the given academic library. Procedural documentation on how to choose to buy or borrow can become an easily condensable guide for staff to refer to at their desks (Lewis & Kennedy, 2019).…”

Holistic Collection Development and the Smithsonian Libraries

“…Following the merging of two library departments at Loyola Marymount University into the Acquisitions and Collection Development Department, the libraries began to rethink existing workflows. 19 As departmental conversations began to examine such workflows, the acquisition of e-books emerged as a crucial concern. By creating and employing a multi-tier flowchart diagram that visualized the e-book acquisition process, the library sought to standardize the assessment of e-books.…”