Crossing Frontiers: Implementing an EBA Model at a Caribbean Academic Library

• Published in: The Serials librarian Vol. 83; no. 2; pp. 176 - 185
• Main Authors: Pilgrim, Mariella, Dolabaille, Arlene
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Taylor & Francis LLC 18.08.2022
• Subjects: Academic libraries; Collection management; Use statistics; West Indies
• ISSN: 0361-526X; 1541-1095
• DOI: 10.1080/0361526X.2022.2121798

Evidence-based acquisition (EBA) programmes have been gaining momentum in academic libraries over the past 5–10 years. This paper examines our experience implementing one of these programmes at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. In 2019, The Alma Jordan Library of the St. Augustine Campus partnered with Wiley Publishers to administer the Usage Based Collection Management (UBCM) programme. The results at the end of this first year were very encouraging and therefore, the decision was taken to extend the programme for a second year, and it has been continued for a third year. This paper describes the process of selecting a provider of a user-driven eBook acquisition model, implementing the programme, and gathering usage statistics. An analysis of the data was conducted at the end of the programme, and then criteria developed and used for identifying titles for purchase. In the analysis, the authors explore the following: usage based on titles not owned, usage based on subject areas; return on investment to the library; continued use of UBCM- purchased titles. Also included are the benefits of implementing such a programme, challenges experienced, and recommendations for libraries wishing to embark on such a project.