The Library provides effective access to collections for all users, making best use of collection format (print or electronic), University of Edinburgh Library spaces and access to other collections held elsewhere nationally and internationally. The collection and analysis of data related to general collection items and their usage is required to inform projects to further transfer access from print to online where appropriate, to contribute to shared national collections and to review and de-duplicate print collections.  

One of the projects that the collection and analysis of data will inform is a de-duplication project related to print books. The ongoing retention of all multiple print copies of a title is not sustainable or desirable, with collections space at capacity across the Main Library, site libraries and the University Collections Facility. In 2014 Collections Services completed a collections de-duplication project based on data collection and analysis which identified within general collections* low use multiple copies of titles held within the Main Library. The number of items identified through this exercise were c100k allowing these to be removed from Library collection and freeing up Library space across to provide required study spaces and Library services. This new project will provide data to complete a similar exercise related to print book collections across the Main Library and all sites' libraries including the UCF. 

The LUC General Collections - Data Collection and Analysis project will also provide data to inform other projects within the Collections 2025 programme, including to support the further transition from print access to online access for teaching resources, providing the most effective access to resources for the largest number of students wherever they are based. 

Alma and Alma Analytics will be used to gather data and where required, using existing reports and dashboards where possible but where necessary amending / creating new reports to provide the relevant information to support projects currently identified within the Collections 2025 roadmap and other potential future projects. 

This project is key to the Collections 2025 Programme vision and underpins future activity over the next 3 years.