9. Collection evaluation
Collection evaluation is an essential, ongoing element of any dynamic collection development program. Continual examination of the collection is necessary to affirm relevance to curriculum, and sufficiency in variety and number of materials per discipline. Collection evaluation is accomplished through direct and indirect means. Usage statistics are analyzed every year to determine the extent to which the collection meets patrons’ needs. Interlibrary loan requests and reserve requests are useful feedback tools. Core bibliographies are regularly consulted to build up needed areas of the collection. Teaching faculty expertise may also be sought.