Collection Assessment and the Library Liaison Program: A Practical Focus

Abstract

In the fall of 2013, the George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library (HHSL) undertook a collection assessment and development project to determine journal and monograph holdings across the Penn State University Libraries in subject areas related to librarian liaison assignments in the health sciences at Penn State Hershey. This project had several aims: a) to assist in collection development activities by showing current journal and monograph holdings in relation to liaison areas in a way related to the strategic plans of the HHSL, the medical center, and University Libraries; b) to inform library users of holdings and improve access; and c) to assist liaison librarians in acquiring a more complete understanding of core resources in their liaison areas. This article presents the process involved in the assessment and development project, connections with relevant areas of the strategic plans, and areas for further improvement.