Duplicate Copies in Monographs Acquisitions

Abstract Processing duplicate titles is a time-consuming and costly activity in a monographs acquisitions operation. Since it is usually considered an acquisitions routine, its cost is often not measured. To gain a better understanding of this issue, a study of 1,000 duplicate titles was conducted. This article describes the study, analyzes duplication errors, and identifies their causes. It examines the disposition methods currently employed in the author's library and outlines the economics of these methods. It also summarizes observations that suggest closer examination of library practice and vendor performance. Finally, it includes recommendations for more effective and efficient processing of duplicate titles.