The Value of Faculty Book Donations: A Case Study of Botany Books at Marx Science and Social Science Library, Yale University

Abstract

In 2008, the author was invited to examine the office book collection of a biology professor, Arthur Galston, who had passed away. The author was able to accept any books of interest for addition to the collection of her library (Marx Science and Social Science Library | Yale University). Of the 85 books subsequently added to the library collection, about ¼ of them showed circulation and/or in-library browsing activity by June 2022, with one title circulating 19 times with an additional 30 in-library browses in this time period. This paper reports on the books accepted with this donation and their total circulation and/or in-library uses. Selth (1992) argues for the value of in-library browse activity and not just circulation data when librarians consider location changes or weeding. Rose-Wiles (2016) recommends including in-library use statistics to gain an “accurate picture of total circulation and library value, and to inform collection development.” For the 85 Arthur Galston-donated books, there were 163 circulations/in-house uses found. The author believes the donations formed a worthwhile and valuable addition to the library collection.