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Library Assessment Plan

Assessment of resources, services, spaces, and programs

Print Books Assessment

Print Books Acquisitions Strategy
Service Outcomes A comprehensive, accessible, and curriculum-aligned print collection that supports the academic and research endeavors of the Pace community
Type of Assessment Multi-data point informed
Assessment Description Selectors assess potential acquisitions for scholarly merit and academic relevance, diversity perspectives, long-term research potential and budget adherence by soliciting community recommendations, examining subject area usage statistics, reading reviews, consulting "Best Of" and awards lists, and comparing available formats.
Responsibility Head of Library Collections, Heads of Research and Circulation Services, individual subject area selectors
Results Distribution Head of Library Collections, Heads of Research and Circulation Services
Assessment Schedule Ongoing
Last Assessment Occurred spring 2025
Action Taken Based on Assessment Data Subject areas for development are prioritized and selectors are given additional budgets as available to continuously develop the collections.
Weeding of Print Books Collection
Service Outcomes A relevant collection that remains responsive to current user needs
Type of Assessment Data-informed; physical, age of collections analysis, circulation statistics, condition assessment, subject coverage evaluation
Assessment Description A systematic review of the collection, carried out by library staff utilizing a list of physical items for each area that includes call numbers, barcodes and metadata (author, title, publication year, etc.) as well as other data points (usage/circulation data, industry-recognized retention recommendations, other Pace Library holdings, availability of digital alternatives) in order to evaluate and make a keep/withdraw decision for each item. The assessment monitors collection relevance, space optimization, resource currency, and preservation effectiveness to maintain vital collections.
Responsibility Head of Library Collections, Heads of Research and Circulation Services, individual librarians
Results Distribution Supervising Librarian for Electronic Services
Assessment Schedule Portions of the collection are weeded each winter intersession and summer
Last Assessment Occurred Summer 2024
Action Taken Based on Assessment Data Books are removed from the shelves, withdrawn from the Library catalog, and sent to Better World Books or discarded.
Inventory of Print Books Collection
Service Outcomes

Users find items identified as available in the catalog, on the shelf and in correct call number order

Type of Assessment Inventory
Assessment Description A complete list of physical items including call numbers, barcodes, metadata and circulation status is compared against the books on the shelves to confirm that items are there and in order.
Responsibility Head of Library Collections, Heads of Research and Circulation Services, individual librarians
Results Distribution Head of Library Collections, Supervising Librarian for Electronic Services
Assessment Schedule Annually
Last Assessment Occurred 2024 (Mortola and Beekman)
Action Taken Based on Assessment Data Items on lists that are not on the shelf as expected, are flagged as MISSING (to be searched again before withdrawing or replacing); Items that are out of order are re-shelved.
RFID Tag Inventory of Print Books Collection (Beekman)
Service Outcomes

Users find items identified as available in the catalog, on the shelf and in correct call number order

Type of Assessment Inventory (Testing new technology)
Assessment Description RFID tag-reading wand is scanned across items on the shelf, RFID tags are read and paired  barcodes are sent to a computer; and the list of barcodes is then matched against Library holdings to identify missing items
Responsibility Head of Library Collections, Director, Beekman Library, individual librarians
Results Distribution Head of Library Collections, Supervising Librarian for Electronic Services
Assessment Schedule Annual
Last Assessment Occurred Winter 2025 (incomplete)
Action Taken Based on Assessment Data Data is not yet complete pending review of process and results; more investigation is required and will take place in summer 2025.