Like most academic libraries, the Purdue University Libraries face shelving shortages in both the active and storage collections. As the storage facility reaches capacity, what approach should the Libraries take to find more space? This session presents a project that uses WorldCat's Collection Analysis (WCA) software to analyze serial holdings in selected subject areas and develop criteria for de-selecting low use and/or short run titles. The librarian merges data exported from WCA with data from the catalog to create serial title lists organized by subject, language, date, and holdings. Based on initial de-selection criteria, the librarian ranks titles in three tiers according to how well the title matches the criteria. Each title is also compared to four consortial benchmark institutions to identify duplicate holdings so that when subject bibliographers review the final lists to make withdrawal decisions, partner institutions holdings forms one of the decision points. After the withdrawal decisions have been made, the librarian works with colleagues at those benchmark institutions to offer them de-selected titles they may have interest in acquiring.

The session will discuss working with WorldCat Collection Analysis and the collaborative process involved in making initial de-selection decisions based on a scientific process. The presenter will show graphical representations of withdrawal statistics, interlibrary loan requests for de-selected titles, and will discuss the response to the project from the Libraries staff and the consortial institutions.