Measuring reference collection use
Posted by: Sue Polanka
During our panel discussion “Rethinking the Reference Collection” at ALA, the question came up – how do you measure the use of your reference collection? Each of the panelists enthusiastically suggested a local “checkout” of the reference items before they are reshelved. I must say that I do the same thing at my institution. Several audience members had suggestions too, the audience favorite being the $50 idea. A librarian in the Chicago area took 50 $1 bills and inserted them strategically in reference books. At 6 and 9 month dates, she checked the books for the dollar bill. In the end, she retrieved $39. Another audience member suggested taping the books shut, as a cheaper alternative. Back in my public library days we had 2 weeks per year when we asked patrons to put all items used in the library in large bins. We had signs everywhere. My favorite item in the bin was the keyboard from one of the opac stations. What ways do you measure the use of the reference collection?
