Capturing the Mainstream: Publisher-Based and Subject-Based Approval Plans in Academic Libraries

Abstract

Approval plans in large academic research libraries have had mixed acceptance and success. Much of the negative reaction may be caused by not designing a plan suitable for the book market and the needs of research libraries. The author compares the viability of subjectand publisher-based plans for academic libraries in both domestic and international markets and presents the case for the overriding success of the publisher-based plan for domestic publications and the subject-based plan for international markets. The intrinsic differences between the two types of plans are discussed, and the publishing industries of North America and Europe are reviewed for their impact on approval plans covering various countries. The experience of the University of Illinois-Urbana Library is presented as a specific case for the relative success of both types of plans. The collection, the library organization, and the vagaries of the publishing industries of many countries form the basis for selecting the proper plan which is most economical.