Assessing the Impact of Floating Collections at the Edmonton Public Library.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Assessing the Impact of Floating Collections at the Edmonton Public Library.
Authors:	Ramsey, Melissa¹ melissa.ramsey@epl.ca, Michas, Marta¹
Source:	Canadian Journal of Information & Library Sciences. 2026, Vol. 49 Issue 1, p147-150. 4p.
Subject Terms:	Collection development in libraries, Public libraries, Collection management (Libraries), Library technical services
Abstract:	A "floating collection" is a popular approach to public library collection management where materials are shelved where they are returned rather than sent back to a "home" location. While it has been suggested that this approach refreshes local branch collections and reduces transit costs, it is unclear whether these benefits are realized. Concerns about this approach have also emerged as it relies on customer-initiated item movement such as holds, yet item movement resulting from holds fulfilment may exacerbate inequitable access to popular materials. In this analysis of a large and diverse urban library system, we show that floating does not appear to refresh local branch collections nor significantly impact transited materials. Our analysis also suggests that items seem to stay within a geographic area and gravitate towards branches with a higher volume of holds, meaning that items are unlikely to naturally return to branches with a lower volume of holds. Additionally, for items returned from elsewhere, a subsequent checkout at the return branch was more likely at branches with a high volume of holds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	A "floating collection" is a popular approach to public library collection management where materials are shelved where they are returned rather than sent back to a "home" location. While it has been suggested that this approach refreshes local branch collections and reduces transit costs, it is unclear whether these benefits are realized. Concerns about this approach have also emerged as it relies on customer-initiated item movement such as holds, yet item movement resulting from holds fulfilment may exacerbate inequitable access to popular materials. In this analysis of a large and diverse urban library system, we show that floating does not appear to refresh local branch collections nor significantly impact transited materials. Our analysis also suggests that items seem to stay within a geographic area and gravitate towards branches with a higher volume of holds, meaning that items are unlikely to naturally return to branches with a lower volume of holds. Additionally, for items returned from elsewhere, a subsequent checkout at the return branch was more likely at branches with a high volume of holds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	1195096X
DOI:	10.5206/cjils-rcsib.v49i1.22967