Automating library stock ordering from reading lists

Deciding which works should be held by a university library, and how many copies of each work are required, is a time consuming process. Library staff have to consider a number of variables in making each purchasing decision, and use data from a variety of library systems. At Loughborough University one such system is the online reading lists, which allows academic staff to indicate to students and library staff which books they feel are most useful/important. This paper discusses taking data from the reading list system, and other library data sources, and using it in an automated system to make book purchasing suggestions to ease this task for library staff. © 2013 J.P.Knight,G.P. Brewerton and J.L.Cooper

Implications of student and lecturer qualitative views on reading lists: a case study at Loughborough University, UK

This case study explores student and lecturer views of reading lists at Loughborough University. Taking the qualitative data from two surveys undertaken at the institution, it highlights issues about the purpose, importance, visibility, content, currency and length of reading lists, as well as the availability of material on the lists. It discusses the need for greater promotion of the lists to address some of these issues and the value of the qualitative data as part of this process