Factors affecting demand
It would be important to take into account any reading promotions carried out by the library on author X. Another factor might be that author Y's books are shelved in an inaccessible place. Perhaps X's books are paperback and Y's are hardback and your borrowers prefer the paperback format.
The conclusions on the previous page are made under the assumption that the stock levels, display methods and format are roughly the same for both authors
You also need to be aware of reading promotions external to your library which might drive a boom in borrowing books by author X. Although it may still be valid to increase your stock because there is a genuine and sustainable increase in interest in reading author X as a result of rave reviews on a television arts programme, you do need to question the sustainability. You do not want to be left six months later with a shelf full of author X's books which are no longer being borrowed.
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Before proceeding, think of other reasons for choosing items for stock apart from balancing stock and demand. |
Now let's have a look at Additional criteria for stock selection ...
