Electronic Books at Liberty University: Evaluating Our Experience with DDA and EBA Programs

Collection development decisions in libraries represent efforts to optimize the balance between three conflicting objectives: broad content, low cost, and minimal delay. In recent years, the Jerry Falwell Library at Liberty University has come to rely heavily on demand driven acquisition (DDA) and evidence based acquisition (EBA) models. Transitioning to these models has entailed significant changes to the library’s internal operations as well as its delivery of services to users. Use of the DDA and EBA programs has yielded positive outcomes, but maximizing their value requires ongoing evaluation and maintenance.