Evaluation of a PDA Pilot Program to Address Equity and Diversity in Academic Library Acquisitions

In the summer of 2023, Stony Brook University Libraries (SBUL) embarked on a transformation, shifting from a traditional liaison-based system to a teams-based approach. This transition reflects a broader trend in academic libraries toward optimizing operational efficiency and resource allocation amidst evolving staffing and budgetary challenges. Central to this transformation is the redefined role of the Division of Collection Strategy and Management, which now oversees all areas of collection development. This paper examines SBUL’s decision to pilot a user-centered collection development strategy, implementing a multiple-publisher Patron-Driven Acquisition (PDA) model while maintaining traditional firm order requests from faculty and students. We explore the methodology of transitioning acquisition workflows, the rationale behind adopting a user-centric approach, and the implications of this model on aligning library collections with the diverse needs of the campus community. The new collections team at SBUL identified three main goals for this pilot program: 1) enhancing and diversifying the collection, 2) identifying organizational efficiencies, and 3) implementing fiscal controls. The analysis draws on data collected during the pilot to offer insights into best practices for evolving library acquisition strategies in response to shifting user expectations and campus diversity in an environment of organizational constraints.