2013 Charleston Conference

In a publishing environment that is increasingly electronic and acquisition models that are demand driven, librarians at the University of Colorado are exploring current trends in acquiring small press monographs.

Social Sciences librarian Gene Hayworth conducted research using the data in WorldCat to examine library acquisitions of small press titles for the years 2008-2012. He generated a list of 430 small press publishers to see how many titles each press published in a given year, and how many libraries hold those titles. In addition, a random survey of collection development and acquisitions librarians will assess factors that influence purchase decisions for small press monographs. Using holdings data from WorldCat and survey responses co-authors will determine what types of small press titles are being purchased, whether or not this has changed over time, the impact of electronic publishing on library purchases of small press titles, and whether there are geographic (US/global) factors that come into play. This will provide an analysis of trends and patterns between the two sets of data, particularly in light of ALA's mission and stated interest in "Equity of Access" for all to the records of humanity.