tandfonline.com – Connections of Evidence: Using Best Practices of Assessment in an Ongoing Serials Analysis Project

ABSTRACT

Making decisions about continuing or cancelling serials subscriptions is a difficult process under the best of circumstances. In these situations, academic librarians can borrow from assessment practices in terms of gathering data, examining emergent patterns, comparing quantitative research and qualitative feedback, closing the loop by making changes, and then preparing to re-evaluate these changes. This article addresses a case study from an academic library at a state university in the midwestern United States as a model of best assessment practices for determining the future of print and online periodical subscriptions. The result is an updated, refocused serials collection that supports learning and research outcomes.