Qualitative and quantitative efficacy measurement of TERI library and information centre resources. A case study

Published date11 March 2019
Date11 March 2019
Pages191-202
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/LM-08-2017-0071
AuthorDeepa N.,P.K. Bhattacharya,Shantanu Ganguly,Anandajit Goswami
Subject MatterLibrary & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion
Qualitative and quantitative
efficacy measurement of TERI
library and information
centre resources
A case study
Deepa N., P.K. Bhattacharya and Shantanu Ganguly
Department of Knowledge Management, TERI, New Delhi, India, and
Anandajit Goswami
TOHRI OPC Private Limited, Kolkata, India
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of the paper is to evaluate print and electronic resources of TERIs Library and
Information Centre (LIC) with an aim to maximize the net marginal benefits and minimize net marginal costs,
without compromising the quality of the library resources.
Design/methodology/approach The parameters considered for analyzing the value of the library
resources for this exercise were resource access costs, strategic value of the resource based on subject area
coverage, frequency of use, citations, direct and indirect benefits to users. The data regarding these
parameters were provided from wide range of sources (both tangible and intangible), to come out with the
qualitative and quantitative assessment through an optimization and simulation based model.
Findings Out of the total holdings in TERI LIC that were analyzed, 85 percent of book collections and
63.5 percent of journals were found to be useful for the researchers. The least-used books and journals
were identified for weeding to optimize the value of library for users and make space for new and topical
library collections.
Research limitations/implications A sample of data sources out of the total library collections was
defined for the evaluation.
Practical implications The paper demonstrates the value of library resources that is of critical
importance to libraries for an effective and efficient delivery of services for generating future knowledge.
Evaluating the value of libraries resources has implications both for librarians as well as library users.
Originality/value The evaluation exercise established the efficacy of the TERI library holdings for
research and academic purposes in the domain of sustainable development. The library collection was found
to be cost effective and beneficial to meet the future demand from the user community.
Keywords Library evaluation, Library resources, Library efficacy, Service assessment, Specialized library,
Usage impact
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Assessment of knowledge resources over a period of time has been of growing interest to
libraries during the last decade as they seek to respond to demands for accountability and,
more recently, to address the new demand generated by the economic situations and
conditions, policy environment and demands of users. Assessing library effectiveness
is synonymous with goal achievement of the library. One aspect of assessment is
demonstrating the library valuation, i.e. how well librarians are able to demonstrate value
has implications both for libraries and for those they serve (Brown, 2011). It is always a
constant endeavor for any library, like TERI Library and Information Centre (LIC), to help
their researchers both through traditional ways (providing research collections, research
literacy training and document delivery) and through more recent innovations (establishing
institutional repositories, advice on copyright and intellectual property and involvement in
knowledge management activities).
Library Management
Vol. 40 No. 3/4, 2019
pp. 191-202
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-08-2017-0071
Received 3 August 2017
Revised 17 January 2018
Accepted 18 January 2018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
191
Measurement
of TERI
LIC resources

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