Deposits & Withdrawals A Survey of Depository Libraries That Have Recently Changed Status Aric Ahrens Illinois Institute of Technology Luke Griffin Jacksonville State University Formative Era - FDLP Takes Shape 1895-1922 Selective Depository Era: 1922-1962 Expansion Era 1962-1988 Electronic Era 1988-present 1996-2002 WHY? 1985 Survey of Libraries that Dropped Out of the FDLP 2002 Qualitative Summary of Libraries that Dropped Out of the FDLP Surveys and Profile * Survey of FDLP libraries that have dropped out since 1996. * Survey of FDLP libraries that have joined the program since 1992. * Profile of the libraries that have dropped out. Survey Response Rates * Drops Survey - FY 1996-2002 * 78 of 103 surveyed libraries responded * 76% Response Rate * Addressing Problems * Adds Survey - FY 1992-2002 * 15 of 29 surveyed libraries responded * 52% Response Rate Why are Depositories Dropping or Adding? * Survey Results - 1 to 5 Scale * Rating of reasons for leaving FDLP * Ranking of importance of different costs on decision to leave FDLP * Rating of reasons for joining FDLP * Rating of satisfaction level with FDLP What Factors do Dropping Libraries Have in Common? * Selection Rate * Low Selection Rate - More Often * Collection Size * Small Collection - More Often * Designation Date * Post 1961 Designation - More Often * Library Type * Public More Often, Law Less Often Factor #1: Selection Rate * A Selection Rate of Under 20% corresponds to a Higher Drop Rate Factor #2: Collection Size * A Collection Size of fewer than 1,000,000 volumes corresponds to a higher Drop Rate Factor #3: Designation Year * A Designation Year of 1962 or later corresponds to a Higher Drop Rate * Law changes in 1962 Factor #4: Library Type * Public Libraries have a higher Drop Rate * Law Libraries have a lower Drop Rate * Consistently meet other 3 Factors, yet do not drop much Law Libraries - Theory * Have low selection percentages, small collections, and recent designation dates; yet they don't drop often * Focused collections mean that small collections are normal, and low selection percentages can address their needs * Exceptions to the formula Public Libraries - Theory * Up to eight areas of focus identified in texts when discussing Public Libraries' Missions. * Government Documents extremely relevant in only 2 of 8 areas * Lower selection rate among Public Libraries: * May be a normal result of limited need * May be necessary result of distribution of resources due to broader mission * Difficult to determine without focused survey Public Libraries * 355 Non-Law Libraries do not meet criteria of either less than 20% Selection Rate or less than 1 Million Volume Collection size * The 1 and only drop from this group happened to be a Public Library * Not statistically significant * Not a major factor when viewed alone Post 1961 Designation Dates - Theory * Law changes in 1962 * Major increase in open slots * Less difficult to join FDLP * Pre 1962 Depositories had to fight for admission * Post 1961 Depositories, by comparison, had much easier time * Post 1961 Libraries * Lower Selection Rates than Pre 1962 Libraries * Smaller Collections than Pre 1962 Libraries * Difficult to establish independence from these variables Post 1961 Designation Dates * 355 Non-Law Libraries do not meet criteria of either less than 20% Selection Rate or less than 1 Million Volume Collection size * No libraries from this group who dropped were designated after 1961 * Not a major factor when viewed alone Factor Summary * Exclusionary Factor: Library Type * Law Libraries * Primary Factor #1: Selection Rate * Less than 20% * Primary Factor #2: Collection Size * Less than 1 Million volumes * Secondary Factor #1: Library Type * Public Libraries * Secondary Factory #2: Designation Date * Post 1961 Primary Factors * Selection Rate and Collection Size * Nearly Universal Application * Factors under control of Library to some degree * Exclude Law Libraries * Formula doesn't work; they don't drop often Secondary Factors * Designation Date: Post 1961 * Not significant by itself * May increase likelihood of dropping, but only when combined with Primary Factors * Library Type: Public Library * Not significant by itself * May increase likelihood of dropping, but only when combined with Primary Factors Combining the Primary Factors * Venn Diagrams * Selection Rate Under 20% * Collection Size under 1M Volumes * Meet both criteria * Meet neither criteria * Law Libraries Excluded 37 High Risk Libraries * 27 Responded to our Survey * Average importance of Internet availability was 4.19 on a 5 Scale * Compared to an average of 4.05 on a 5 scale for all libraries surveyed * Internet availability had a bigger impact on decision to drop of High Risk Libraries Overall Picture * Small libraries dropping faster * Low Selection Rates, Small Collection * Dropping libraries cite Internet * Major factor in decision to drop * Internet satisfying small libraries' needs * Depository status becoming less appealing * Libraries Joining FDLP * Cite high level of satisfaction with FDLP * Statistically resemble those leaving FDLP