Are patrons using the research books? A new approach to approval plan assessment

Purpose The purpose of this study is to present findings of an approval plan assessment project, which analyzed circulation statistics for four Gobi Select designations: research essential, research recommended, basic essential and basic recommended. Design/methodology/approach This study approaches approval plan assessment by analyzing three years of circulation statistics to determine which, if any, of the Gobi Select designations circulated the most. Findings This study reveals that books designated as “basic essential” have circulated at higher rates than other designations. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, no other studies have made use of Gobi Select designations to analyze circulation statistics for books obtained on an approval plan.