December 2, 2005
To: RCPL Board Policy Committee
From: G. Chapman
Re: New Collection Recommendation
Downloadable audio books
To: Terri Davis, Public Services Manager
From: Renee Ponzio, Reference Services Supervisor
RE: Downloadable audio books
Date: November 14, 2005
RECOMMENDATION: Approval for a one
year contract of netLibrary downloadable audio book subscription. This funding amount of $12,600 per year is already included
in the annual budget as part of the nonfiction collection.
BACKGROUND: This new collection recommendation supports the Strategic Plan goals: “Provide library materials in popular formats (DVDs, computer resources, etc)”, and “Expand availability of reference and reader’s advisory services to 24 hours per day/ 7 days per week.” When considering new and emerging technologies and formats, the continued support of older technologies needs to be reviewed in light of budgetary constraints and the public’s interest. Therefore, when moving toward a new technology or format, the phase-out of older collections is taken into account.
In the case of this recommendation, the older format is books on cassette tape. While cassettes are still of value, they are being superseded both by books on CD and by downloadable books. The expectation is that the Books on Tape expenditures will be halved for budget year 2006, and eliminated by 2007. By 2008, the Books on Tape collection will be recommended for removal from the library collection.
RELATED INFORMATION: The addition of netLibrary’s downloadable audio books will
enhance the library’s collection by:
· Adding to the already popular audio collection which accounts for about 24% of the monthly check outs
o The core collection would add 630 popular fiction titles and 150 public domain classics
o 30 new titles are added each month
· Providing 24/7 patron access to downloadable audio books, through both in-house and remote access
· Significantly adding to the number of audio books available to the public, without the need to increase the amount of collection space
· Allowing a three-week check out of audios books, which can be renewed for another 3 weeks
· Allowing unlimited simultaneous downloads of a single title
The expectation is that the addition of this collection would increase usage of audio books by 15%.
NAME OF POLICY: Information
Resources Development and Maintenance Policy
SECTION: 7.D.2 Audio
Recordings
CHANGE REQUESTED:
The audio collection consists of both audio books and music. The audio
book collection has both abridged and unabridged works. Audio collections follow the criteria as established for
print fiction and non-fiction collections. The collection emphasizes
popular works, including bestsellers, mystery, science fiction, and older works
by popular authors. Classics are
purchased, as well as non-fiction titles on any topic of interest. Materials are also collected in cassette tape, CD, DVD, and
an online database that can be accessed via the web.