Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-10-2003

Keywords

Collection analysis, collection assessment, collection evaluation, cooperative collection development, bibliometric studies, cooperative cataloging

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1300/J105v28n01_07

Abstract

The 30th anniversary of WorldCat was celebrated in 2001. At that time, there were 45 million records with over 750 million location listings, spanning over 4,000 years of recorded knowledge in 377 languages. In the anniversary year, a bibliometric study was begun under the auspices of an OCLC/ALISE research grant. A 10% systematic random sample of the database was analyzed utilizing the OCLC iCAs software to profile the monographic contents of WorldCat by type of library, subject and language parameters. The profile reveals the extent of global publications made accessible through the OCLC international network. Several findings of the study can be examined as possible barriers to successful cooperation in collection development and resources sharing. One of the major problems analyzed in the study is the timeliness in the availability of bibliographic records for current publications. This paper explores the feasibility of using WorldCat as a cooperative collection development tool as well as additional measures which might be derived from analyzing bibliographic records. The results can be used to stimulate discussion on the role of WorldCat as an international resource on the universe of publication available for research and resources sharing worldwide.

Comments

Copyright (I©2002) From The New Dynamics & Economicsof Cooperative Collection Development by Anna Perrault. Reproduced by permission of Taylor and Francis Group, LLC, a division of Informa plc.

Users may download and/or print one copy of this article to facilitate their private study or for non-commercial research. You may not engage in further distribution of the material or use it for any profit-making activities or any commercial gain.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Collection Management, v. 28, issue 1-2, p. 63-75

Share

COinS