Anyone familiar with the book or movie, “Moneyball,” also knows the term, “sabermetrics.” When the Oakland A’s started to assemble its Major League Baseball team for the 2002 season, it was facing limited revenues and the departure of three marquee players. Billy Beane, the team’s general manager, and his staff adopted an analytical, evidence-based approach to assembling a competitive team. They filled the gaps in their line-up based on careful research, not just gut feelings. Many librarians find themselves in a situation not unlike the one Beane faced in early 2002. But if librarians think in a new way – move toward data-driven acquisition like Billy Beane – they just might be able to provide greater access to the foundational and interdisciplinary content library patrons want, and elevate their own stature within an institution. The objective of this session is to show librarians how they can use various types of data to make strategic acquisition decisions. To make the session interactive, we would show sample data and give participants the opportunity to discuss acquisition options based on the data and budgets, and how information like this would be useful in their own institutions. Participants will learn how data can drive high-quality decisions and be a powerful vehicle for change. The format would be a moderated panel of librarians.
