The first MHLS Lab Project, called an Incubator Project at the time, took place in 2015 and, in response to trending declines in circulation of library materials, focused on increasing the circulation of adult fiction. Libraries can adapt the resources below to focus on their entire physical collection or any part of that collection. Resources are also provided to help libraries improve the strength of their digital collections.
Participating libraries in this project included Early Adopters, libraries who agreed to develop action plans and test specific strategies, and Trusted Advisors, libraries that helped identify essential factors and best practices and supported Early Adopters.
Early Adopters:
- Alice Curtis Desmond and Hamilton Fish Library (Garrison)
- Dover Plains Library
- LaGrange Association Library
- Millbrook Library
- West Hurley Public Library
Trusted Advisors:
- Catskill Public Library
- Highland Public Library
- Patterson Library
- Red Hook Public Library
Goals:
The measurable goal for participating libraries was to increase circulation of adult fiction print books by 5% over 2014 figures. You should feel free to set you own goal. The underlying goal was to increase public awareness of collection materials and to make library collections more relevant and responsive to patron wants and needs.
Essential Factors/Tactics:
All libraries developed action plans that included 3 tactics:
- Creating better displays
- Weeding
- Filling patron holds quickly
In the process, libraries also worked to create a better experience for patrons through friendlier spaces, more patron-centric policies and procedures, and better customer service.
Background Reading
Displays
- Michele Seipp, Sandra Lindberg & Keith Curry Lance, “Book Displays Increase Fiction Circulation over 90%, Non-fiction Circulation 25%,” Fast Facts: Recent Statistics from the Library Research Service, May 1, 2002
- David Vinjamuri, “Building a Display-Driven Strategy | Brand Insider,” Library Journal, Apr. 8, 2015
- Allison Marie Fiscus, “Visual Merchandising – Applying Bookstore Insights to Public Library Collections,” Public Libraries Online, Nov./Dec. 2017
Weeding
- Abby Preschel Kalan, “The Practical Librarian’s Guide to Collection Development: Weeding and Acquisition Made Easier,” American Libraries, May 20, 2014
- Ian Chant, “The Art of Weeding | Collection Management,” Library Journal, June 23, 2015
Meeting Patron Demand
Data Collection
Physical Collection Circulation
This lab project looked at circulation of print materials only, and even more specifically, at circulation of adult fiction. The reports and tracking worksheets provided here collect data for the entire circulating physical collection, but they can all be modified to examine specific parts of your collection. The report instructions include steps for running Create Lists, Decision Center, and Web Management reports.
- Total Holdings Report Instructions
- Total Circulation Report Instructions
- Total Items Circulated Report Instructions
- Items Not Circulated in Past 3 Years Report Instructions
- Circulation Data Tracking Worksheet
- Exporting Create Lists Reports
- Create Lists Video Tutorials
Digital Collection Circulation
Since digital content is growing part of our collections, we should track trends in digital circulation as well. If circulation of physical material is declining but being replaced by increased use of digital materials, that may just reflect changing patron preference–a preference we should consider in building our collections.
The reports below focus on Overdrive e-books, audiobooks, and videos because these are shared systemwide, much like our physical collections. Many libraries have added other digital resources, such as hoopla and Kanopy, for which MHLS does not have access to reports, but individual subscribing libraries can gather similar data on these resources through their accounts.
Action Plans
Sample Materials
Insights from Participants
Other Resources
Displays
- Increasing Circulation through Book Displays, Thorndike Press presentation
- Library Book Display Ideas–HubPages
- Andrea Bass, “My Top 5 Priorities When Creating Book Displays,” Teen Services Underground, June 21, 2019
Weeding
- CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries, © Copyright 2012, Texas State Library and Archives
Commission, and related resources - Weeding & Libraries: The Facts (Director’s Edition), Jo-Ann Benedetti & Mary Fellows, Upper Hudson Library System
- Dealing with Discards
- ALA: Collection Maintenance and Weeding
- ALA: Weeding Library Collections: A Selected Annotated Bibliography for Library Collection Evaluation