Deposits & Withdrawals 
A Survey of Depository Libraries That Have Recently Changed Status 
Aric Ahrens  
 Illinois Institute of Technology

Luke Griffin 
 Jacksonville State University

Formative Era - FDLP Takes Shape 1895-1922
Selective Depository Era:
1922-1962
Expansion Era
1962-1988
Electronic Era
1988-present
1996-2002




WHY?
1985 Survey of Libraries that Dropped Out of the FDLP
2002 Qualitative Summary of Libraries that Dropped Out of the FDLP
Surveys and Profile
* Survey of FDLP libraries that have dropped out since 1996.
* Survey of FDLP libraries that have joined the program since 1992.
* Profile of the libraries that have dropped out.
Survey Response Rates
* Drops Survey - FY 1996-2002
* 78 of 103 surveyed libraries responded
* 76% Response Rate
* Addressing Problems
* Adds Survey - FY 1992-2002
* 15 of 29 surveyed libraries responded
* 52% Response Rate
Why are Depositories Dropping or Adding?
* Survey Results - 1 to 5 Scale
* Rating of reasons for leaving FDLP
* Ranking of importance of different costs on decision to leave FDLP
* Rating of reasons for joining FDLP
* Rating of satisfaction level with FDLP





What Factors do Dropping Libraries Have in Common?
* Selection Rate
* Low Selection Rate - More Often
* Collection Size
* Small Collection - More Often
* Designation Date
* Post 1961 Designation - More Often
* Library Type
* Public More Often, Law Less Often
Factor #1: Selection Rate
* A Selection Rate of Under 20% corresponds to a Higher Drop Rate

Factor #2: Collection Size
* A Collection Size of fewer than 1,000,000 volumes corresponds to a higher Drop Rate

Factor #3: Designation Year
* A Designation Year of 1962 or later corresponds to a Higher Drop Rate
* Law changes in 1962

Factor #4: Library Type
* Public Libraries have a higher Drop Rate
* Law Libraries have a lower Drop Rate
* Consistently meet other 3 Factors, yet do not drop much

Law Libraries - Theory
* Have low selection percentages, small collections, and recent designation dates; yet they don't drop often
* Focused collections mean that small collections are normal, and low selection percentages can address their needs
* Exceptions to the formula
Public Libraries - Theory
* Up to eight areas of focus identified in texts when discussing Public Libraries' Missions.
* Government Documents extremely relevant in only 2 of 8 areas
* Lower selection rate among Public Libraries:
* May be a normal result of limited need
* May be necessary result of distribution of resources due to broader mission
* Difficult to determine without focused survey
Public Libraries
* 355 Non-Law Libraries do not meet criteria of either less than 20% Selection Rate or less than 1 Million Volume Collection size
* The 1 and only drop from this group happened to be a Public Library
* Not statistically significant
* Not a major factor when viewed alone
Post 1961 Designation Dates - Theory
* Law changes in 1962
* Major increase in open slots
* Less difficult to join FDLP
* Pre 1962 Depositories had to fight for admission
* Post 1961 Depositories, by comparison, had much easier time
* Post 1961 Libraries
* Lower Selection Rates than Pre 1962 Libraries
* Smaller Collections than Pre 1962 Libraries
* Difficult to establish independence from these variables 
Post 1961 Designation Dates
* 355 Non-Law Libraries do not meet criteria of either less than 20% Selection Rate or less than 1 Million Volume Collection size
* No libraries from this group who dropped were designated after 1961
* Not a major factor when viewed alone
Factor Summary
* Exclusionary Factor: Library Type
* Law Libraries
* Primary Factor #1: Selection Rate
* Less than 20%
* Primary Factor #2: Collection Size
* Less than 1 Million volumes
* Secondary Factor #1: Library Type
* Public Libraries
* Secondary Factory #2: Designation Date
* Post 1961
Primary Factors
* Selection Rate and Collection Size
* Nearly Universal Application
* Factors under control of Library to some degree
* Exclude Law Libraries
* Formula doesn't work; they don't drop often
Secondary Factors
* Designation Date: Post 1961
* Not significant by itself
* May increase likelihood of dropping, but only when combined with Primary Factors
* Library Type: Public Library
* Not significant by itself
* May increase likelihood of dropping, but only when combined with Primary Factors
Combining the Primary Factors
* Venn Diagrams
* Selection Rate Under 20%
* Collection Size under 1M Volumes
* Meet both criteria
* Meet neither criteria
* Law Libraries Excluded







37 High Risk Libraries
* 27 Responded to our Survey
* Average importance of Internet availability was 4.19 on a 5 Scale
* Compared to an average of 4.05 on a 5 scale for all libraries surveyed
* Internet availability had a bigger impact on decision to drop of High Risk Libraries 
Overall Picture
* Small libraries dropping faster
* Low Selection Rates, Small Collection
* Dropping libraries cite Internet
* Major factor in decision to drop
* Internet satisfying small libraries' needs
* Depository status becoming less appealing
* Libraries Joining FDLP
* Cite high level of satisfaction with FDLP
* Statistically resemble those leaving FDLP