Reflections on the OCLC Worldcat Collection Analysis Tool: We Still Need the Next Step

Using the WorldCat Collection Analysis Tool: Experiences From the University of Kansas Libraries

“…Although many of the technical problems KU encountered throughout the year are not documented elsewhere in the literature, we would recommend that OCLC make the debugging of these problems a priority. As noted by Negrucci (2008) and Orcutt and Powell (2006), the rigid subject conspectus persists and is a problem that OCLC also needs to address. KU also agrees with Orcutt and Powell 2006) and Beals (2008) (36) that OCLC needs to update the WCA on a more frequent basis.…”

“…As noted by Negrucci (2008) and Orcutt and Powell (2006), the rigid subject conspectus persists and is a problem that OCLC also needs to address. KU also agrees with Orcutt and Powell 2006) and Beals (2008) (36) that OCLC needs to update the WCA on a more frequent basis. A monthly update would be a significant improvement and improvements to FRBR would also make the product much more useful.…”

“…The brief test assessment was developed based on the Research Libraries Group (RLG) Conspectus model as an attempt to quantify collection strengths. Like Orcutt and Powell (2006), Beals had similar difficulties when using the WCA. The author encountered problems running analyses Amalia Monroe and Lea Currie (2011): Using the WorldCat Collection Analysis Tool: Experiences From the University of Kansas Libraries, Collection Management, 36:4, 203-216.…”

“…When FRBR is not working, it is easy to misinterpret the data, because it appears there are quite a few overlapping titles, when they are actually different editions or formats. At North Carolina State University, Orcutt and Powell (2006) used the WCA to run comparisons against groups of research libraries in their consortium. They found that, implicit to its design, the WCA works better when running comparisons to a single institution and not as well with multiple institutional comparisons.…”

Are Print Books Dead? An Investigation of Book Circulation at a Mid-Sized Academic Library

“…One useful aid, the WorldCat Collection Analysis tool (WCA), is offered by OCLC on a subscription basis (OCLC, n.d.; Orcutt & Powell, 2006). Mallery & Theus (2012) used the WCA in a pilot project to assess subject collections and inform cooperative collection development.…”