Using various matching methods, Bowker's Book Analysis System will compare your collection to the core list of your choice and instantly allows you to recognize by subject area where the strengths and weaknesses lie in your collection. Reports are provided in the standard classification of your choice.

Customers of Bowker’s Book Analysis System must also be subscribers to the electronic version of H.W.Wilson’s Standard Catalogues or RCLweb™.

Subscriptions are offered on a yearly basis and, since your catalogue and the core lists are regularly updated, an analysis can be run as many times as you like throughout the year to consistently maintain the integrity of your core collection.

Create a custom core collection with confidence. Maintain your collection on an ongoing basis in order to provide the most current and appropriate titles to your library patrons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bowker's Book Analysis System (BBAS)?
BBAS is an online collection development tool that enables a qualitative analysis of your holdings without laborious, manual comparisons. BBAS electronically compares your collection to a core list, and provides you with reports that you can use to identify gaps and duplicates within your collection.

Which core lists can BBAS compare my collection against?
BBAS uses both H.W. Wilson Standard Catalogues and Resources for College Libraries. Customers must already subscribe to one or more of the five H.W. Wilson Standard Catalogs on WilsonWeb in order to access those core collections for comparison. The RCL core list is included as part of the cost for BBAS.

Can I compare against both the Wilson and RCL core lists?
Yes. For a more comprehensive analysis of your collection, BBAS gives you the opportunity to compare your collection against both Wilson and RCL at the same time. As mentioned above, libraries wishing to compare their collection to H.W. Wilson Standard Catalogues must subscribe to WilsonWeb.

Why do I need a Book Analysis System?
2006 saw book production rise to over 291,000 new titles published annually. The number of publishers also continues to rise -- reaching over 372,000 in 2006. Meanwhile, the number of books reviewed over the past 10 years has only increased 8%. For a librarian who is trying to determine the most appropriate books for their collection, in the face of shrinking budgets and rising book costs, it has become increasingly more difficult to determine where your money should best be spent.

With a book analysis system like BBAS, you can analyse your collections by subject in an efficient, cost-effective, time-saving manner. Using an automated comparison system will save money, reduce human error, and allow you to spend time focusing on selection decisions. BBAS also provides data cleansing services that will provide a more automated and accurate transaction with vendors.

Which criteria does BBAS use to compare to my collection?
BBAS uses four matching methods to compare your collection to the core list: 1) ISBN; 2) LCCN & Title & Author; 3) Title & Author; or 4) LCCN & Title. Depending on the core list selected, reports are then grouped by Dewey Decimal classification, LC classification, or RCL taxonomy.

How do I subscribe to Bowker's Book Analysis System?
A one year subscription to BBAS requires subscription access to BooksInPrint.com or GlobalBooksInPrint.com. Since your catalogue and the core lists are updated regularly, once subscribed, you can feel free to run an analysis as many times as you like throughout the year to consistently maintain the integrity of your core collection.

Can I see a preview of BBAS in action?
Yes. Just visit the BBAS website and choose one of the Product Previews.