Monograph Overlap and the NLA Collection: an Update (1)
- Introduction
- Method
- Overlap
- Subject
- Place of Publication
- Unique Publications
- Table 5: Place of origin of titles uniquely held by the National Library, of titles held by the National Library and also by other libraries, and titles not held by the National Library
- Table 6: Subject area of titles uniquely held by the National Library, of titles held by the National Library and also by other libraries, and titles not held by the National Library
- Table 7: National Library unique titles by means of acquisition
- Conclusions
- Appendix 1: Titles held uniquely by the National Library
Introduction
This paper present findings of a preliminary investigation into monograph overlap between the English language, overseas published holdings of the National Library and other contributors to the national bibliographic database (NBD). The study was carried out in response to the Library's need for additional information about the characteristics of its holdings to assist with the task of redefining the overseas collection to best suit the needs of Australia's distributed national collection.
Method
While collection overlap can be most easily estimated using holdings entered onto the NBD, it is first necessary to locate a sample of NLA holdings to compare with others. Possibilities include
- taking a sample from supplier invoices which can then be checked against the NBD
- taking a sample from the Dynix system which can then be checked against the NBD
- identifying a sample of NLA holdings directly on the NBD.
The third approach was adopted for this preliminary study, primarily to estimate the workload likely to be involved in a larger study [1].
It is not possible to select particular institutional holdings on the NBD. It was decided therefore to select ACT holdings, knowing that these would include the NLA. This approach also permitted analysis of the holdings of other libraries for comparative purposes.
A sample of 476 titles was identified from the NBD. This sample represented records of titles in English and not published in Australia, added to the NBD in the first two weeks of June 1993 and having ACT holdings. The first two weeks of June were selected on the basis that libraries have since had one year in which to acquire and add their own holdings, but not too much time has elapsed to make the survey out of date. Having selected these records, it was then discovered that holdings from the Australian National University were not present. The ANU Library catalogue was subsequently searched for each title.
Each record was individually coded to identify:
- National Library holding
- ANU holding
- University of Canberra (AUC) holding
- ACT Library Service (APLS) holding
- Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) holding
- number of holdings by other universities (not ACT)
- number of holdings by other state libraries (not ACT)
- number of holdings by other libraries not already included
- Dewey number
- place of publication
The difficulties associated with using the NBD as a source are acknowledged. However, rates of duplication and error should not be high enough to negate findings. The NBD does not cover all Australian libraries, a fact which should be kept in mind.
Overlap
Of the 476 titles identified in the sample, 164 (34.5%) are held by the National Library. Of these 164, 45 (27.4%) are titles uniquely held. The remainder are held by between one and 25 libraries. Table 1 shows the degree of overlap with other holdings, with particular reference to the ACT. Of other libraries in the ACT, the ANU is most likely to have holdings in common with NLA, followed by the ACT Library Service, ADFA and University of Canberra.
Beyond the ACT, university libraries are more likely to duplicate NLA holdings than state libraries or other libraries. These results reflect the research nature of NLA holdings which are unlikely to overlap to any extent with the holdings of public libraries. It is interesting to note that they do not seem to overlap substantially with the holdings of special libraries.
Table 1: Overlap of National Library holdings with other libraries
Titles held by National Library 164 Titles held by no other library 45 27.4% Titles held also by: ANU 40 24.4% APLS 10 6.1% ADFA 9 5.5% AUC 5 3.0% one or more state libraries1 45 27.4% one or more university libraries1 94 57.3% at least one other library1 50 30.5% 1. Not included above
Table 2 shows the numbers of libraries holding each title in the sample, according to whether the title is or is not held by the NLA. Of the 164 titles held by the NLA, 23 are held by one other library, 29 by two others, 19 by three others and 48 by four or more. Of all the 476 titles in the sample, 131 or 27.5% are held by only one library while, at the other end of the scale, only two titles are held by more than 30 libraries [2]. This would suggest that there is not a high degree of overlap in general between different libraries, with approximately one-quarter of titles being uniquely held and each title being held by an average of 4.4 libraries.
Table 2: Distribution of sample titles
Number of Titles not Titles held by Grand Total
titles held by held by NLA NLA
other
libraries
0 0 45 45
1 86 23 109
2 60 29 89
3 41 19 60
4 19 5 24
5 15 12 27
6 13 3 16
7 10 5 15
8 12 4 16
9 4 1 5
10-14 34 11 45
15-20 13 2 15
21-30 3 5 8
31-39 2 0 2
Average number 4.8 3.5 4.4
of holdings
Total number of 312 164 476
titles
Subject
Table 3 shows Dewey ranges, by century, and displays some marked differences between NLA holdings and those of other libraries, with NLA having an over-representation of titles in the 300s and under-representation in both the 600s and 800s. These results reflect the Library's policy not to purchase general fiction, which is heavily represented in public library collections, or to purchase in pure and applied sciences, which are more heavily represented in university collections, and, in popular forms, in public libraries. The Library's acknowledged strength in the social sciences is reflected here also. Other difference can be observed in the table, but the sample size is small, making generalisations unreliable.
A visual examination makes it apparent that the NLA has little, if any, children's material which was otherwise strongly represented in the NBD both in public libraries and in academic libraries which teach subjects to do with early childhood and education. Children's materials were found all over the Dewey ranges, with titles on such subjects as dinosaurs or keeping guinea pigs, as well as fiction. Popular fiction also was well represented among the holdings of public libraries, especially at 813 and 823. Government publications were found among the holdings of federal government special libraries and university libraries, as well as the NLA.
Table 3: Dewey ranges of titles
Dewey range Not held by NLA Held by NLA Total 00-99 7 2.2% 8 4.9% 15 100-199 8 2.6% 3 1.8% 11 200-299 11 3.5% 7 4.3% 18 300-399 74 23.6% 81 49.1% 154 400-499 0 0.0% 2 1.2% 2 500-599 24 7.7% 13 8.0% 37 600-699 51 16.3% 14 8.6% 65 700-799 24 7.7% 10 6.1% 34 800-899 98 31.3% 9 5.5% 107 900-999 16 5.1% 17 10.4% 33 Grand total 313 100.0% 164 100.0% 476
Place of Publication
The figures shown in Table 4 indicate that the NLA tends to purchase from a wider range of countries than other libraries. The NLA has relatively fewer publications from the UK, but more from Canada, Europe, South America, Asia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Africa.
Table 4: Place of publication of NLA holdings and non-NLA holdings
Place Not held by NLA Held by NLA Total USA 163 52.2% 92 56.1% 255 UK 120 38.5% 23 14.0% 143 Canada 8 2.6% 9 5.5% 17 Europe 9 2.9% 16 9.8% 25 South America 0 0.0% 1 0.6% 1 Asia 7 2.2% 13 7.9% 20 NZ, Pacific 5 1.6% 9 5.5% 14 Africa 0 0.0% 1 0.6% 1 Grand Total 312 100.0% 164 100.0% 476
Unique Publications
Only 45 titles were identified as being held uniquely by the NLA. While this number is small, it is possible to identify tentatively some characteristics of them from Tables 5, 6 and 7. Any more definite statement would have to be based on a much larger sample than that obtained in this survey. A list of these titles is included in Appendix 1.
Place Titles not Titles held by Titles held Grand
Held by NLA NLA and other uniquely by NLA Total
libraries
USA 163 52.2% 66 55.5% 26 57.8% 255
UK 120 38.5% 17 14.3% 6 13.3% 143
Canada 8 2.6% 9 7.6% 0 0.0% 17
Europe 9 2.9% 13 10.9% 3 6.7% 25
South 0 0.0% 1 0.8% 0 0.0% 1
America
Asia 7 2.2% 8 6.7% 5 11.1% 20
NZ, 5 1.6% 4 3.4% 5 11.1% 14
Pacific
Africa 0 0.0% 1 0.8% 0 0.0% 1
Grand 312 100.0% 119 100.0% 45 100.0% 476
total
Firstly, the titles are predominantly in the social sciences (300s), and secondly, they are more likely to come either from Asia, New Zealand or the Pacific. The under-representation of titles from the UK is puzzling, especially when the slight over-representation of titles from the USA can be accounted for by the comparatively large number of government publications.
Dewey Titles not Titles held by Titles held Grand
range held by NLA NLA and other uniquely by NLA total
libraries
00- 99 7 2.2% 5 4.2% 3 6.7% 15
100-199 8 2.6% 3 2.5% 0 0.0% 11
200-299 11 3.5% 7 5.9% 0 0.0% 18
300-399 73 23.4% 54 45.4% 27 60.0% 154
400-499 0 0.0% 2 1.7% 0 0.0% 2
500-599 24 7.7% 7 5.9% 6 13.3% 37
600-699 51 16.3% 12 10.1% 2 4.4% 65
700-799 24 7.7% 8 6.7% 2 4.4% 34
800-899 98 31.4% 8 6.7% 1 2.2% 107
900-999 16 5.1% 13 10.9% 4 8.9% 33
Grand 312 100.0% 119 100.0% 45 100.0% 476
total
Table 7 shows the means whereby the National Library acquires its uniquely held titles. The largest proportion (20%) is received from the United States GPO with fewer being received from standing orders (20%), blanket orders (18%) and gift and exchange programs (13%).
Table 7: National Library unique titles by means of acquisition
Means of acquisition Number Per cent Standing orders 9 20% US Government Publications 20 44% Blanket orders 8 18% Gift and exchange 6 13% Thai Acquisition Program 2 4% Total 45 99%
A title-by-title examination reveals that US government publications are unlikely to be held by other libraries. OECD publications, on the other hand, are usually duplicated, presumably because of their broad economic interest.
Conclusions
A sample size as small as that used does not permit reliable conclusions to be drawn. However, some of the information obtained is of value and permits a view of the NLA collection in relation to the holdings of other libraries. In order to provide more detailed analysis, a larger sample would have to be used.
In summary, it is possible to state tentatively :
- that about 25% of titles held by the NLA are uniquely held
- that about 25% of titles held by all libraries are uniquely held
- that each title on the NBD is likely to be owned by only four or five libraries
- that the library most likely to duplicate the holdings of the NLA is the ANU
- that universities in general are most likely to have holdings which overlap with those of the NLA
- the NLA has relative strengths in the social sciences, especially in its unique titles
- that NLA receives less material from the UK than other libraries
- that NLA receives relatively more material from countries other than the US and UK than other libraries
- that US GPO publications constitute the single largest proportion of uniquely held titles
- that NLA holdings from Canada, Europe, South America, Asia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Africa are less likely to be held by other libraries.
While the survey does indicate some of the characteristics of the NLA collection, and those of other libraries, it tells us nothing of their value and gives no clue as to how they can better be directed. Those titles which are uniquely held, whether by this library or by another, are unlikely to be titles highly in demand. It does not, however, follow, that such titles are of low value.
The methodology used in this preliminary survey has proved straight forward, except for the need to check ANU holdings individually. A second survey, to add to the findings of this survey would be desirable. Comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
Appendix 1: Titles held uniquely by the National Library
Back to first principles: US strategic forces in the emerging environments / David A Shlapak, David E Thaler. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, 1993.
Experiments in variable-resolution combat modeling / Richard J Hillestad, John G Owen, Donald Blumenthal. Santa Monica, CA: Rand, 1993.
Consideration of the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 : hearings and markup before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives ... Washington. US GPO 1993.
Competition policy in the telecommunications industry: a comprehensive approach: hearing before the Subcommittee on Economic and Commercial Law ....Washington. US GPO 1992.
Importance and status of the Superconducting Super Collider : joint hearing before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources ... Washington. US GPO 1992.
Alaska Peninsula Wilderness Designation Act and Kenai Native Equity Act: hearing before the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Offshore Energy Resources ... Washington. US GPO 1992.
Sanctions against Libya: hearing and markup before the Committee on Foreign Affairs ... Washington. US GPO 1988.
Air Force Space Launch Policy and Plans: hearing before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and Nuclear Deterrence ... Washington. US GPO 1988.
Crisis in American math, science and engineering education : hearing of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, United States Senate ... Washington. US GPO 1990.
Honoring winners of the 1989 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching : hearing before the Subcommittee on Science Research and Technology ... Washington. US GPO 1990.
Budgetary treatment of Postal Service Fund: hearing before the Legislation and National Security Subcommittee of the Committee on Government Operations ... Washington. US GPO 1990.
Transportation trust funds : hearing before a subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations ... Washington. US GPO 1990.
Operation of the Home Loan Guaranty Program and the National Cemetery System in the state of Georgia: hearing before the Subcommittee on Housing and Memorial Affairs ... Washington. US GPO 1990.
Americans with disabilities: telecommunications relay services: hearing before the Sub-committee on ... Washington. US GPO 1990.
CenTrust Bank, state savings bank: hearing before the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs ... Washington. US GPO 1990.
Clinical laboratories: hearing before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Energy and Commerce .. Washington. US GPO 1992.
Implementation of recommendations of JTAC: hearings before the ... Washington. US GPO 1992.
Recommendations for reform of the federal employees health benefits program (FEHBP): hearing before the Committee on ... Washington. US GPO 1992.
Implementation of the Endangered Species Act for Native Hawaiian wildlife and plants: hearings before the Ad Hoc Committee ... Washington. US GPO 1992.
State and local perspectives on welfare reform: rhetoric, reality and opportunities: hearings before the Domestic Task Force ... Washington. US GPO 1992.
A village in New Guinea: the reality of life with VSO / Ted Lawson. Stevenage, UK, SPA, 1993.
Traditional and non-traditional lenders' role in economic development: joint hearing before the Subcommittee ... Washington. US GPO 1993.
Update on the heroin control strategy and domestic heroin consumption: hearing before the Select Committee ... Washington. US GPO 1993.
The Drive-Thru Museum: a journey across the everyday USA / Andy Souter. London. Impact, 1993.
Jupiter landing / Peter Maxwell Davies. Longman 1991.
Passport to Arabia / Mike Gerrard and Thomas McCarthy. Serpent's Tale, 1993.
Basket makers: meaning and form in native American baskets / Linda Mowat et al. Oxford, Pitt Rivers Museum, 1992.
Researching the disability working allowance self-assessment form / David Silke. London, HMSO, 1993.
Trends of science in Japan. Tokyo, Science Councill (sic) of Japan, 1990.
On the quality of synthetic speech: evaluation and improvements / Josephus Hubertus Eggen. Eindhoven ? s.n. 1992?
Gold Coast Queensland Australia: southern Gold Coast littoral sand supply / JA Roelvink and RJ Murray. Delft, Delft Hydraulics, 1992-.
Black business in the new south: a social history of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. Durham, Duke University Press, 1993.
A review of familial abuse allegations of adults with developmental disabilities / State of New York, Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled, 1992.
A theoretical investigation of the founder-flush theory of speciation / Hamish G Spencer. Hamilton, NZ, University of Waikato, 1990.
1989 New Zealand Oil Exploration Conference : proceedings . Wellington, NZ, Ministry of Commerce, 1990.
New Zealand in the global marketplace: a strategic overview and corporate plan, 1992/93. New Zealand Trade Development Board, .
Review of the Commerce Act 1986. New Zealand, Ministry of Commerce. 1992.
Report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary, May 1992: stock assessments and yield estimates. Wellington, NZ, MAF Fisheries, 1992.
Report {of the} Workshop of Project Coordinators for Strengthening District Health Systems / convened by the Regional Office for the Western Pacific of the World Health Organisation, Manila, 7-11 January 1991. Manila, WHO, 1991.
Politikens moraliska rum: en studie i FA Hayeks politiska filosofi / Mats Lunstrom. Uppsala, 1991.
George Wallace, Richard Nixon and the transformation of American politics / Dan T Carter. Waco, Texas, Markham Press Fund, 1992.
A focussed ethnographic study of acute respiratory infection in northern Thailand / Preecha Upayokin. Nakhon, Thailand, Mahidol University, 1991.
Final report of the 5th ASTINFO Consultative Meeting: Hyatt Central Plaza, Bangkok, Thailand 10-13 October 1987. Bangkok, ASTINFO, 1987.
Critical essays on Samuel Beckett / Lance St John Butler. Scolar Press, Vermont, Ashgate Publishing, 1993.
Lakota Recollections of the Custer fight: new sources of Indian-military history / Richard G Hardorff. Spokane, WA, AH Clarke, 1991.
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