Print book collections are facing significant transformation in response to mass digitization, remote storage, and preservation. These issues should be considered within a system-wide context in which individual print book collections are viewed not as isolated units, but rather as parts of a larger whole. As libraries look beyond the boundaries of their local print book collections to consider system-wide implications, they will need to be equipped with data and analysis about the system-wide print book collection. This study, conducted in collaboration with Brian Lavoie of OCLC, provided a brief overview of the system-wide print book collection (defined as the combined print book holdings of libraries everywhere, as reflected in the WorldCat bibliographic database). Issues addressed include the size of the collection; holdings patterns; distribution by publication date and language; and the relationship of the system-wide print book collection to overall book production, along with a brief discussion of some implications of the analysis and possible directions for future research.

Publication:

• Roger C. Schonfeld and Brian Lavoie, “Books without Boundaries: A Brief Tour of the System-wide Print Book Collection,” The Journal of Electronic Publishing 9, no. 2 (Summer 2006). 

Presentation:

• Brian Lavoie and Roger C. Schonfeld, “A System-Wide View of Library Collections,” Coalition for Networked Information, Spring Task Force meeting, Washington DC, April 5, 2005.