Determining the value of library collections for insurance can be a formidable task. The following information focuses on the challenge of providing a valuation for large, general collections.
Individual pricing for large general collections is not practical. Instead, group items into categories and calculate an average value for each category. Generally, the better categorized the collection, the more accurate the values.
Categorizing by subject is one way to determine the value of a general collection. Many book jobbers can provide average cost by subject and, in some cases, such values are provided free on Web sites and can help establish a replacement value for items. To arrive at an accurate estimate of value, however, the source figure must be used in conjunction with the number of volumes by subject and format in each library location.
Below are Microsoft Excel spreadsheets listing valuations by call number area (Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal).
To view the Excel files without Microsoft Excel software, click on this link 
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Dewey Decimal Classification
- 2010-2011 Valuation (MS Excel)
- 2008-2009 Valuation (MS Excel)
- 2005-2006 Valuation (MS Excel)
- 2003-2004 Valuation (MS Excel)
Libary of Congress Classification
- 2010-2011 Valuation (MS Excel)
- 2008-2009 Valuation (MS Excel)
- 2005-2006 Valuation (MS Excel)
- 2003-2004 Valuation (MS Excel)
Prices by subject are taken from data obtained from YBP Library Services
- New Title Reports at: http://www.ybp.com/title_reports.html
