2019 Charleston Library Conference

Collection budgets are an essential tool for building collections yet the amounts of allocations can ebb and flow over the years. Modifying the budget structure is an intimidating, exhausting exercise with administrative and political ramifications that affect the workload of collections librarians as well as the workflows in acquisitions departments. External and internal forces such as impending budget cuts and serials reviews, a new library system, new department heads, newly minted librarians’ learning curves, and the creation or demolition of big deals seem like roadblocks to a budget revision process. They can also be seized as opportunities to look at new models. Libraries get by given what the allocations are in any given year, but would it be better for the collections if the approach to allocations was more flexible from the beginning, more of proactive allocations instead of reactive?

At Binghamton University Libraries, the hiring of a new Head of Collection Development and migrating to a new library system necessitated collaborative conversations concerning structures and roles for the two departments. In this session, Caryl and Jill will present scenarios and tips for determining when and how to collaboratively evaluate a legacy budget structure, redefine allocations, and review staff roles. Attendees will also hear of several methods of collection allocations used by Northwestern University Libraries over the years, beginning with the more traditional allocation by subject to the more flexible allocation method of putting funding where it supports the mission of the university.  The more flexible methods may not work as well for libraries that have rigid allocations based on university department assessments.
Time permitting, attendees are welcome to share ideas and questions on the budgeting process.