Demand-Driven Acquisition Strategies in Academic Libraries

Demand-driven acquisition (DDA) represents a paradigm shift in how academic libraries build and manage collections, moving from traditional librarian-led selection to models that respond directly to user needs. At its core, DDA allows libraries to expose a broad range of titles through discovery platforms and only acquire content—whether electronic or print—when it is actually requested or used. This ‘just-in-time’ approach contrasts with the ‘just-in-case’ philosophy, which relies on librarians predicting future demand and purchasing titles in advance. DDA programmes typically establish predefined budgets and thresholds—such as number of accesses or holds—that trigger automatic purchasing or short-term loans. By aligning acquisition more closely with actual research, teaching and learning patterns, institutions can improve cost-effectiveness, reduce the volume of unused materials, and tailor collections to evolving curricula. Technological advances, including real-time usage analytics and integration with library management systems, underpin many modern DDA workflows and facilitate detailed monitoring of returns on investment. Libraries have also begun to explore hybrid models that combine evidence-based acquisition (EBA) and DDA elements to leverage usage data in bulk purchasing decisions. Globally, DDA strategies have gained traction as consortia negotiate favourable terms with publishers, ensuring equitable access to resources across campuses while containing costs. As higher education adapts to digital transformation and shifting user expectations, DDA remains a dynamic field of research and practice, with ongoing debates about optimal workflows, data transparency and long-term collection sustainability.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Demand-Driven Acquisition Strategies in Academic Libraries publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in demand-driven acquisition strategies in academic libraries across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Demand-Driven Acquisition (DDA): An acquisition model in which materials are purchased or licensed only after they are demonstrated to be in demand, typically through user requests or usage thresholds.

Just-In-Time (JIT) Selection: A collection development philosophy that acquires resources at the moment they are needed rather than in anticipation of future demand.

Just-In-Case (JIC) Selection: Traditional acquisition approach in which materials are purchased based on predicted need to ensure availability before demand is realised.

Evidence-Based Acquisition (EBA): A model that combines elements of DDA and bulk licensing, allowing libraries to access large collections upfront while determining purchases based on aggregated usage data.

Return on Investment (ROI): A metric used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of acquisitions by comparing expenditure to measurable usage or impact outcomes.

References

1. DDA and traditional monograph acquisition – the experience of a small university library. Insights the UKSG journal (2016).
2. Demand driven acquisitions in academic libraries: A scoping review. The Journal of Academic Librarianship (2024).