SSC College Libraries Annual Review 2021-22

As academic libraries evolve, so do the library's collections of physical resources.  In recent years the Libraries' physical collections have become more targeted in regard to particular subjects (e.g. art, design) and formats (e.g. graphic novels).  Physical collections at Seminole State continue to be carefully reviewed and dated volumes removed, resulting in a more compact but relevant repository. In addition, the Libraries are tracking the circulation of technology items (laptops, calculators) more granularly.

Metric: A tally of the number of physical items held by the libraries, divided into Books, Media, and Technology.

Analysis: The overall number of physical items, other than technology, is expected to continue to decline as a higher percentage of new acquisitions will be for online materials that can serve both on-campus and online students.

Metric: A tally of the publication date for physical titles (books and media) held by the campus libraries.

Analysis:  Over half of the library's physical materials were published in the last 20 years, and over 75% were published in the last 30 years, meeting targets for our collection, which typically needs to be more current to meet curricular needs.

Metric: The number of initial circulations across campuses and formats.

Analysis: The new Alma library management system provides more granularity in tracking circulation.  Circulation of technology items, including laptops for the full term and calculators, accounted for over 55% of the library's circulation.  Physical reserves -- typically textbooks -- continued to have low circulations, even though there were no restrictions on access to these materials.

Metric: Circulation numbers for the past 5 years.

Analysis: While the nationwide trend in lower numbers of circulating physical materials was also experienced at Seminole State, it is encouraging to see an uptick in the numbers from the previous year.