Developing a Weighted Collection Development Allocation Formula

In this session the presenters demonstrated and discussed how to create a spreadsheet‐based library collection development allocation formula to help acquisitions personnel better manage their library’s limited collection development resources. The presenters demonstrated and led participants through Arkansas State University’s process of creating an Excel‐based formula that utilizes criteria relevant to their specific library and institution. Key to the success of this formula is the use of a separate weight applied to each factor used in the formula. Factors selected include the number of students graduating from each degree program, courses offered by each academic department, departmental credit hour production, the number of faculty in each department, and the average costs of books and journals in a discipline. By carefully assigning weights to each factor, the output of the formula results in a more equitable allocation of funds to each subject area