Choice Published White Paper on Library Analytics

The new report outlines how academic libraries can utilize prescriptive analytics for better resource stewardship.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Distance Learning

Isometric editorial illustration showing a stack of colored geometric cubes next to a minimalist plinth, representing resource management frameworks. — Choice has released a new white paper providing academic libraries with a mathematical framework to optimize resource stewardship and collection management. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Choice has released a white paper titled The Optimized Library: Prescriptive Foundations for Resource Stewardship in an Era of Fiscal Austerity. The document provides a framework for academic libraries to improve collection management and purchasing decisions.

Why it matters

The publication aims to support academic institutions in navigating fiscal austerity by applying mathematical optimization to their resource allocation processes.

The paper is the 10th entry in the Choice white paper series and is available as a complimentary resource. It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

The players

Choice

Choice is an organization that provides resources and publications for the academic library community.

Sam Suber

Sam Suber is the electronic resources coordinator at Moraine Valley Community College Library who authored the report.

The details

The report, researched by Sam Suber, integrates library data with operations research concepts to help staff manage collections more effectively. Through various case studies, the text translates complex mathematical models into practical strategies for library management.

The white paper is copyrighted for 2026.

Roadmap

This release follows the open-access standards established by the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license. It reflects a growing industry trend toward utilizing public licensing to increase the reach of academic research tools.

Academic library staff and administrators can adopt these new prescriptive analytics strategies to optimize their current purchasing budgets. The complimentary nature of the report ensures that institutions of all sizes can access these management tools without direct financial barriers.

The takeaway

Libraries can improve operational efficiency by shifting toward data-driven allocation models. Implementing mathematical optimization can assist in maintaining core services despite long-term fiscal constraints.