Is the diffusion of books in library holdings a reliable indicator in research assessment?

Books are a crucial product of research in SSH. The evaluation of quality of books is currently managed through peer expert review, which is based on a full reading of their content. In the literature there was the suggestion to use data from catalogues to obtain indicators to be used in an aggregate way, for example to estimate the diffusion and readership of books. However, the literature does not offer empirical analysis of the role, potential and limitations over a range of disciplines. The chapter presents an overview of the survey carried out in Italy of a sample of books in two fields, History of books, Bibliography, Library science and History of political institutions. The study offers a critical analysis of the reliability of the diffusion of monographs in library holdings as indicator to use in research assessment. Data on the diffusion of books in a large number of libraries are obtained and cleaned. Special attention is also devoted to the analysis of the selection, acquisition procedures and management of library collections, connected with the research evaluation process.