Grow your undergraduate programs using collection analysis

12 May 2025

In the competitive, ever-changing library landscape, data helps libraries make informed decisions. Such types of data can run the gamut, but all libraries use the data to improve their communities—and Boise State University’s Albertsons Library is no exception. “Choreo [Insights] is a way for outsiders to integrate with your catalog outside of acquisitions and collections. And that is a huge benefit,” Mary Aagard, Associate Professor and Head, Acquisitions & Collections, said.

In order to meet growth rate requirements from increased enrollment and growth in some degree programs, Boise State library staff took a look at their undergraduate programs and reading materials, realizing they needed more data to be able to thoroughly assess where and how to meet the increased demand. That’s where Choreo Insights came in.

“The Choreo interface is just so easy to use. It’s more intuitive to be able to run some simple collections analysis and just kind of play around, whereas with other systems, there’s always this concern that you’re going to run a report and break something.” Heather Grevatt, Assistant Professor and Librarian, said.

Build comparative lists

Library staff quickly began using Choreo’s comparison list feature to get organized. Using IPEDS data too, they looked at institutions similar in size and focus to get an idea where they could best focus their programs’ development. “We used the IPEDS completion data in terms of degree attainment as part of the data set for where we saw a higher percentage of growth in student enrollment and graduation.” Mary said. They focused on data comparators like growth and market share to really understand what needed to change.

Choreo gave them the answers they were looking for—and more. “It’s really nice that you can pick and choose who you really think is comparable to either where you are currently or where you’re hoping to go,” Heather said. “It can be fun to compare to the Harvards and the Stanfords, but when you want to do something practical, you can do that as well.” Overall, the team was able to determine ways to grow programs in several key disciplines—not only in undergraduate programs, but doctoral and Masters as well.

Grow data in time

The Albertsons Library staff continues to use Choreo in a variety of ways—including shared print analysis for a deselection project, the effect of an unfortunate water main break— and it’s becoming more helpful as they look to become an R1 school sometime in the next couple years, although it’s still some ways away. “We put a lot of time and effort into thinking about these students and their information needs… Even our aspirational peers are so far away from what we can provide. We still have time.”

Location

• Boise, Idaho, USA

Library at a glance

• The Library supports the country's only Master's in Raptor Biology program
• Hosts the Warren E. McCain Collection for Western Life, an endowed collection focused on the history, literature, anthropology, geography, politics, economics, and cultural life of the American West
• Holds over 1,000 Basque language titles, as Boise is home to the largest population of Basque in the United States
• Home to the oldest, publicly available, complete book in Idaho, a 1470 copy of the Historia Scholastica