The Germanna Library Collection Analyzed (Using WorldCat Collection Analysis from OCLC) By Karen A. Bowers Introduction The WorldCat Collection Analysis Service can compare catalog records with those of any comparison peer school, who has decided to participate in the comparison analysis. Letters to as many as ten schools may be sent to obtain permission. As soon as permissions have been obtained, they must be sent to OCLC. In the Administrative module, schools may be set up using the OCLC code for the schools selected. OCLC monitors this process and makes this option available. In the case of Germanna, we also set up a group which contained all the selected comparison schools. This was the control group from which we could determine the percentage of materials that were in our collection and compare it with the percentage in the other schools. We determined the percentage by dividing the Germanna collection number by the VCCSGroup number for each major subject heading. In order to make this comparison however, there is a basic process that must be completed. In the Limit Analysis area, filters must be created. I found that entering the appropriate Library of Congress classification numbers was the most assuring filter. There is a way to just use the general filter for an OCLC subject category, but then the limit description is much less informative. Using the “Limit Analysis” option, we were able to gather collection counts from each of the comparison schools and the group as a whole. We searched by the general subject categories that are used in analyzing “My Library.” We also created filters for
Transcript
The Germanna Library Collection Analyzed
(Using WorldCat Collection Analysis from OCLC)
By Karen A. Bowers
Introduction
The WorldCat Collection Analysis Service can compare catalog records with those of any comparison peer school, who has decided to participate in the comparison analysis. Letters to as many as ten schools may be sent to obtain permission. As soon as permissions have been obtained, they must be sent to OCLC. In the Administrative module, schools may be set up using the OCLC code for the schools selected. OCLC monitors this process and makes this option available.
In the case of Germanna, we also set up a group which contained all the selected comparison schools. This was the control group from which we could determine the percentage of materials that were in our collection and compare it with the percentage in the other schools. We determined the percentage by dividing the Germanna collection number by the VCCSGroup number for each major subject heading. In order to make this comparison however, there is a basic process that must be completed. In the Limit Analysis area, filters must be created. I found that entering the appropriate Library of Congress classification numbers was the most assuring filter. There is a way to just use the general filter for an OCLC subject category, but then the limit description is much less informative.
Using the “Limit Analysis” option, we were able to gather collection counts from each of the comparison schools and the group as a whole. We searched by the general subject categories that are used in analyzing “My Library.” We also created filters for narrower subjects, such as Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry. Additional analysis can be made on demand by creating the filters and analyzing each school’s data listed under the “Data to analyze” tab.
Two subject analysis pages were created in Excel. One compared the peer schools by collection count in the OCLC subject categories and the other compared the peer schools by subject and percentage of holdings in the VCCS control group. From this, it can be determined that the following subject collection totals are at least half the size of the peer schools. Another way to say this is that we need to add twice the titles in these subject areas in order to approach a comparable collection with the other schools.
Biological Sciences
Communicable Diseases
Government Documents
Performing Arts
Art and Architecture
Music
Sociology.
Other subject areas that proved to be very low in the collection count are the Physical Sciences and Pre-Clinical Sciences. It was necessary to consult the OCLC Conspectus in order to understand these categories, as they do not align with the Library of Congress Classification System.
Preclinical Sciences Microbiology and Immunology QW0-949
Preclinical Sciences Parasitology QX0-675
Preclinical Sciences Clinical Pathology QY0-490
Preclinical Sciences Pathology QZ0-380
In Art and Architecture, our collection was not on the same level as the other schools. For four of the five schools,
we could increase this collection four times to be on the same level. Interestingly enough, J.Sargeant Reynolds had only
12% compared to over 20% in three schools and over 30% in one school. Clearly, Germanna’s 5 % is too low for this
subject area. Music is a related field where we are also extremely low at only 8%. However, I do not know that our
curriculum supports these fields enough to merit a great increase. Art books are very expensive because of the graphics.
Music is not as expensive, but may not be in high demand. Our library should purchase more in these areas though, as
these subjects do support academic excellence and a good general education.
There is a new certificate program for Dental Assistants, which will begin in Jan. 2012, and in light of the fact that our
Dental Hygiene program is part of the NVCC program, it is time to increase the book collection in this subject area. The
Dental Assistant program is a year-long program or three semesters. Students will get a CDA (Certified Dental Assistant)
certificate. Our cooperative partner for the Dental Hygienist program had a materials count of 133. Germanna has only 25
titles in Dental subjects. Doubling this collection is recommended to support this popular program. Here is a graph
produced from analyzed data to show the need for increasing the Dentistry collection.
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group0
50
100
150
200
250
Dentistry
Dentistry
Steps to analyzing the collection:
Identify subject areas by graphing the collection with your filtered numbers created in the WorldCat Collection Analysis software. For the following analysis, we concentrated on STEM subjects. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Note on the graph below, that Germanna’s collection was surprisingly high in Chemistry when compared to these subject fields in our peer collections.
The question is how does this compare with the peer institutions?
GCC0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
AgricultureVeterinary MedicineBiological SciencesChemistryCommunicable DiseasesDentistryEngineering and TechnologyGeographyMathematics MedicinePhysical SciencesPreclinical SciencesPsychology
Let’s look at the Chemistry data across the board.
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Chemistry
Chemistry
Although our collection may be high in Chemistry, it is within reasonable limits.
There is no error in having more Chemistry texts than the other schools, but instead it should be noted that the Chemistry collection is one of Germanna’s strengths. The next question that might be asked is. “How current are these Chemical texts?” Do we need to build upon this strength? To answer this question, I would consult “My Library” in the WCAS.
It would be beneficial to purchase more recent titles in this area to maintain the current strength in this field. See the VCCSlinc for recent titles in Organic Chemistry and other Chemical subject areas. All community colleges may be searched and the most recent items will be retrieved first in a subject keyword search. See the following snap shot of such a search. The best way to compare collections by subject and year is to conduct a subject key word search in the VCCSlinc or online catalog.
Because it is a keyword search, the most current items will be retrieved first. When subject keywords are selected, results will be very
relevant, because we are using the terminology of the Library of Congress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the WCAS does assist in finding subject areas to analyze or to analyze selected subjects as desired. The following steps are necessary.
1. Contact peer institutions to retrieve permission to compare collections.2. Send permission emails or letters to OCLC for set up.3. OCLC will contact you, when they are ready for you to set up the Administrative module.4. Create the Libraries within the Administrative Module.5. Create a Control Group which contains the holdings of all the comparison schools.
Now you have the tools to determine collection counts of the various schools and a control count of entire holdings. This allows a means to determine percentages when compared to the control group.
Steps to set up for analyzing collections:
1. http://ezproxy.vccs.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hlh&AN=49116211&site=ehost-liveLog into First Search. The Collection Analysis tab should be available.
2. The first place to start is the “Data to Analyze” tab.3. Select the first school in your list.4. The collection count of the two schools will appear.5. Select “Limit Analysis.”6. Create a subject profile. Once on the profile, clear it and then select subject areas. (Sometimes certain subjects
are saved into the profile. That is why it is necessary to clear it first.) You may also enter specific Call numbers, which you have determined are essential for a complete analysis. Save.
7. Create as many subject filters as you wish and you are ready for the next stage in analysis.
Comparing collections by subject with WCAS:
1. Select “Data to analyze.” (Many times you may need to return here for new search)2. Choose school.3. Limit Analysis.4. Select subject profile filter.5. Run Search.
Data can be entered into an excel spreadsheet and various charts can be created with the data.
Here is an analysis across the board of the subjects we selected to analyze. First by collection count:
GCCJSR
CCJTC
CLFC
CPCC
TNCC
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
Agriculture Veterinary MedicineBiological Sciences ChemistryCommunicable Diseases DentistryEngineering and Tech-nology
Here is a comparison by collection count by the subjects we selected to filter.
Here is another comparison converted into percentage contribution to the Control Group.
Using this information, we can determine the strengths of each individual school, by graphing the individual schools by the selected Subject grouping. Each of the following shows the schools collection by percentage of the VCCS Group, with the Group being 100%.
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Agriculture
Agriculture
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Medicine
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Chemistry
Chemistry
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Communicable Diseases
Communicable Diseases
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Dentistry
Dentistry
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Engineering and Technology
Engineering and Tech-nology
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Geography
Geography
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Mathematics
Mathematics
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Medicine
Medicine
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Physical Sciences
Physical Sciences
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Preclinical Sciences
Preclinical Sciences
GCC JSRCC JTCC LFCC PCC TNCC VCCS Group
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Psychology
Psychology
It is possible to look at a summary graph of the subjects. It might give the individual school an idea of their strengths and weaknesses in general terms.
Agricu
lture
Veterin
ary M
edicin
e
Biological S
ciences
Chemistr
y
Communicable D
isease
s
Dentistr
y
Engin
eering a
nd Tech
nology
Geogra
phy
Mathem
atics
Medicin
e
Physical
Scien
ces
Preclin
ical S
ciences
Psychology
010203040506070
JSRCC
JSRCC
Looking at Germanna’s again, it might be determined our collection is fairly balanced with a strength in Chemistry. J. Sargeant Reynolds has a strength in Dentistry and Agriculture. They are also strong in Communicable Diseases. Germanna’s strengths seem to be Chemistry and Medicine when compared with the peer institutions.
Agricu
lture
Veterin
ary M
edicin
e
Biological S
ciences
Chemistr
y
Communicable D
isease
s
Dentistr
y
Engin
eering a
nd Tech
nology
Geogra
phy
Mathem
atics
Medicin
e
Physical
Scien
ces
Preclin
ical S
ciences
Psychology
0
4
8
12
16
GCC
GCC
This is slightly misleading though, since the numbers are the percentages and the subjects do not include every subject in the Library of Congress classification system, but rather focused on STEM and vocational subjects of the control group. For a truer perspective of the balance of Germanna’s whole collection see WorldCat’s “My Library” graphs for individual subjects. It is best to compare Germanna with Germanna, when looking at the distribution of the subject collections.
Note our collection is far stronger in the humanities, than in Chemistry. That is why it is best to look at the individual subjects when comparing collections with other libraries. Then you may see how your subject collection compares with that of other peer colleges.
There is a way to compare Libraries by Collection Count. And that is meaningful. It answers the question, “How does our collection count compare with our select peer college’s?"
This shows the actual count size of the collection. When compared with the other schools, Germanna was the smallest in size with all the comparison schools.
This is the source of the data from which charts and comparisons can be made. Attached are excel spreadsheets comparing the schools by collection count and by percentage of the comparison group.
In addition, Interlibrary Loans may be tracked. Often the results of the highest usage are journal titles, so this is an area that we may want to watch to see if it is appropriate to add a journal title to our periodical collection.
Comparison can also be made to the Library Journal or College Libraries bibliographies. Unfortunately, this is not a good source for current titles in Scientific Fields. Most titles are at least five years old. Therefore, if currency is important to the subject, it is best to search WorldCat or the VCCSlinc.
Appendix.
Collection STEM & Other Analyzed by count and percentage of the VCCS group.
