Closing the Gap: How Abington Public Library Used LibraryIQ to Build a More Balanced Collection
THE CHALLENGE
Abington Public Library (APL) used LibraryIQ to better understand whether its diverse collection reflected what the community wanted. The data showed clear gaps in several subject areas, with demand outpacing supply and coverage of LibraryIQ's own recommended diverse title lists sitting at just 28%.
THE SOLUTION
FINDING THE GAPS
Staff used LibraryIQ to identify subject areas where the collection had room to grow, working at a category level specific enough to act on but broad enough to avoid one title skewing the data. This surfaced areas like Asian cookbooks, LGBTQ+ romance, and Middle Eastern history.
TURNING DATA INTO PURCHASES
With target areas identified, staff used LibraryIQ's Recommended Diverse Titles and Forthcoming Diverse Titles lists to select specific books to buy. Staff also checked how the collection's overall diverse makeup compared to average and found APL's didn't vary much, so funds went toward the areas where the data showed a clearer, more specific gap instead.
THE RESULTS
FOR PATRONS
New titles were added to New Book displays. Books were also placed on seasonal and thematic displays throughout the year, including Black History Month, Lunar New Year, and Romance displays.
FOR STAFF
Staff now have a repeatable process: use LibraryIQ to find where demand is outpacing supply, then use its recommended title lists to fill it. As new titles were added and began circulating, a score tracking interest in World Literature/Asian/China titles moved from 3.85 to 2.9 — closer to the point where supply matches demand. Staff plan to keep using this process to guide future purchasing decisions.
IQ TOOLS USED
Collection Diversity — Makeup & Performance
Collection Diversity — Recommended Diverse Titles
Collection Diversity — Forthcoming Diverse Titles