Shared Advocacy through Data: Looking Beyond the High Cost of Journals

Academic libraries have a long history of advocating for additional funding for their collections. One strategy is to partner with a Faculty Senate Library Committee (FSLC) to take on the cause. In spring 2011 OSU Libraries began this process by presenting our FSLC with a range of data they could use to tell our story to the Faculty Senate, campus administration, and other stakeholders. We will continue to work with them to advocate for our collec‐ tions budget. As we explore these issues for our campus, larger questions come up. Which data best promotes libraries? What are additional strategies to pique campus stakeholders’ interest in a library's success? How can assessment data be used to strengthen our case for a better budget? Should libraries focus on our diminished pur‐ chasing power or our increased partnerships with faculty?