A Comparison of Two Approval Plan Profiles: A Study in Success and Failure

Abstract

Approval plans are commonly used by academic libraries as a method of collection development. At the heart of each Ian is the individual library profile which is developed for each library and determines what materials will be sent. Although the profile is crucial to the success or failure of a plan, its role in determining a library's level of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the Ian has not been examined. Does the profile define and enforce the libraries wishes or does it serve to raise expectations? Two ARL libraries, the University of Georgia and Tulane University, for a time had university press approval plans with the same book jobber. Each organization had vastly different profiles and completely different reactions to their plans. Although unique circumstances on each campus played a role in the outcome of each plan, it appears that the profile served its stated purpose well - it defined wishes and also set expectations.