title: Citation patterns in the health sciences: implications for serials/monographic fund allocation.
abstract: This study sought to determine optimal serial-to-monograph ratios for collection development by comparing citation frequency with current library practice. Internal medicine literature cited an average of 88% serial references and 12% monographs. In an observational study, teaching physicians on internal medicine rounds cited 89.5% serials and 10.5% monographs to student teams. By contrast, health sciences libraries included in the Houston statistics spend an average of 79% of acquisitions budgets for serials and 21% for monographs. An 88:12 acquisitions budget ratio would be more appropriate, reflecting actual use of serials and monographs in the health sciences.
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri-Kansas City Health Sciences Library 64116.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Burdick
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D002017:Budgets; D003361:Cost Allocation; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000191:economics*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000191:economics*