““A fresh approach to journal A fresh approach to journal collection analysis”collection analysis”

Ian Pattenden - Bowker (UK) LtdIan Pattenden - Bowker (UK) Ltd

ContextContext

• Libraries need to evaluate their collection of Libraries need to evaluate their collection of journals to ensure they meet academic journals to ensure they meet academic requirements and to justify expenditure. requirements and to justify expenditure. This is a big challenge…This is a big challenge…

• Comparisons with defined “core collections”Comparisons with defined “core collections”

• Analysis against the collections of peer Analysis against the collections of peer institutionsinstitutions

• Largely manual and time-consuming processLargely manual and time-consuming process

Introduction to USAS Introduction to USAS

• Authoritative and independent Authoritative and independent database of information on 260,000+ database of information on 260,000+ journals published worldwide journals published worldwide (www.ulrichsweb.com)(www.ulrichsweb.com)

• New analysis module (USAS) created New analysis module (USAS) created to allow a library to compare it’s own to allow a library to compare it’s own collection of journals, using the collection of journals, using the Ulrich’s database as a reference Ulrich’s database as a reference point (www.ulrichsweb.com/analysis)point (www.ulrichsweb.com/analysis)

What is USAS?What is USAS?

• A reporting system designed specifically for A reporting system designed specifically for librarians to allow you to see/understand your librarians to allow you to see/understand your collection and put it in perspectivecollection and put it in perspective

• A product designed to save time and effort A product designed to save time and effort with collection development decision-makingwith collection development decision-making

• An essential resource for anyone aiming to An essential resource for anyone aiming to achieve an optimum collection within budgetachieve an optimum collection within budget

What USAS offers…What USAS offers…

It allows a library to:It allows a library to:

• Fully analyse collection by subject areaFully analyse collection by subject area• View collection against the entire Ulrich’s View collection against the entire Ulrich’s

databasedatabase• View collection against Ulrich’s core View collection against Ulrich’s core

collectioncollection• View quality of collection for better decision-View quality of collection for better decision-

makingmaking• Generate instant reportsGenerate instant reports

Analysis criteriaAnalysis criteria

Compare collection against the Ulrich’s Compare collection against the Ulrich’s database:database:

• ““Universe” of 219,000 active titlesUniverse” of 219,000 active titles

• ““Core” collection of 53,000 active titles, inc:Core” collection of 53,000 active titles, inc:– 26,000 refereed titles26,000 refereed titles– 21,000 electronic titles21,000 electronic titles– 8,500 titles reviewed in Katz Magazines 8,500 titles reviewed in Katz Magazines

for Librariesfor Libraries– 7,000+ titles with an ISI Impact Factor7,000+ titles with an ISI Impact Factor

What else?...What else?...

• Compare your collection with:Compare your collection with:– Ulrich’sUlrich’s– A peer institutionA peer institution– Another library’s collectionAnother library’s collection– A consortium collectionA consortium collection– An aggregated database of e-journalsAn aggregated database of e-journals– Print v ElectronicPrint v Electronic

• NEW: Compare any two lists you upload NEW: Compare any two lists you upload i.e. database v databasei.e. database v database

BenefitsBenefits

Using the system allows a library to:Using the system allows a library to:

• Identify its strengths and weaknessesIdentify its strengths and weaknesses• Plan and carry out an effective collection Plan and carry out an effective collection

development policy, based on a clear development policy, based on a clear understanding of the current situationunderstanding of the current situation

• Justify the purchase of new titles/packagesJustify the purchase of new titles/packages• Justify the renewal or non-renewal of Justify the renewal or non-renewal of

titles/packagestitles/packages• Ensure best quality and best value for Ensure best quality and best value for

moneymoney

How it works…How it works…

• Library loads a list (or lists) of their own Library loads a list (or lists) of their own ISSNs into USASISSNs into USAS

• The system then compares these ISSNs The system then compares these ISSNs with the Ulrich’s data and pulls that data with the Ulrich’s data and pulls that data into the report screensinto the report screens

• Uploaded collection is automatically broken Uploaded collection is automatically broken down into subject areas (900 Ulrich’s down into subject areas (900 Ulrich’s subjects) to allow meaningful analysissubjects) to allow meaningful analysis

• Ability to work with data before creating a Ability to work with data before creating a wide variety of reportswide variety of reports

Access…Access…

Main menu…Main menu…

Select ISSN list…Select ISSN list…

Also… Review all the lists you’ve Also… Review all the lists you’ve created, create an unlimited number of created, create an unlimited number of listslists

Compare List v List to identify overlap Compare List v List to identify overlap and value… (Collection v Aggregated and value… (Collection v Aggregated database)database)

USAS for Consortia…USAS for Consortia…

Define a “consortium” profileDefine a “consortium” profile

Select “member” or “consortium” to Select “member” or “consortium” to evaluate…evaluate…

Compare list with Ulrich’sCompare list with Ulrich’s

View list of journals and see which View list of journals and see which members own themmembers own them

View “member collection” against View “member collection” against “consortium catalogue”“consortium catalogue”

Publisher analysis…Publisher analysis…

SummarySummary

• Ulrich’s Serials Analysis System (USAS) allows Ulrich’s Serials Analysis System (USAS) allows you to fully evaluate journal collectionsyou to fully evaluate journal collections

• Subscription price dependent on number of Subscription price dependent on number of ISSNs in the library’s collectionISSNs in the library’s collection

• USAS subscription includes unlimited user USAS subscription includes unlimited user access to the Ulrichsweb.com databaseaccess to the Ulrichsweb.com database

• Makes it easier for institutions to take current Makes it easier for institutions to take current and future collection development decisionsand future collection development decisions

Results of analysisResults of analysis

• Library discovered that their collection consisted of Library discovered that their collection consisted of 4.32%4.32% of journals with an ISI Impact Factor of journals with an ISI Impact Factor

• Their collection plus that of Heal-Link yielded a Their collection plus that of Heal-Link yielded a 35.99%35.99% coverage rate for such high-quality journals coverage rate for such high-quality journals

• Overall they were able to identify that they had a Overall they were able to identify that they had a 40%40% coverage in their main areas of specialization… coverage in their main areas of specialization… “This makes us feel comfortable with the selection “This makes us feel comfortable with the selection of our journal collection and it’s also a good way to of our journal collection and it’s also a good way to find out our weaknesses and eliminate them if find out our weaknesses and eliminate them if possible”possible”

With thanks…With thanks…

• Presentation compiled using screens from the Presentation compiled using screens from the Ulrich’s Serials Analysis System implementation Ulrich’s Serials Analysis System implementation at at Library & Information Service of Library & Information Service of University of University of PatrasPatras

• Thanks go to Fieroula PapadatouThanks go to Fieroula Papadatoufor her help and cooperationfor her help and cooperation

• 1 of 7 Greek academic libraries1 of 7 Greek academic librariesalready using the systemalready using the system

Further Information…Further Information…

• Visit the Bowker stand hereVisit the Bowker stand here• Email me: ian.pattenden@bowker.co.ukEmail me: ian.pattenden@bowker.co.uk• Visit: www.bowker.co.ukVisit: www.bowker.co.uk