Pre-publication collections play an increasingly important role in library acquisition strategies. Libraries often commit to purchasing content months before publication, making visibility into upcoming resources and activation timelines increasingly valuable.

To help address this need, Clarivate worked with publishing partners, including De Gruyter Brill, on the development of the Upcoming Collections feature. Ana Maria Ion-Kary, Senior Manager, Book & Library Services at De Gruyter Brill, shared her perspective on the value the feature brings to both publishers and libraries.

For Libraries: Earlier Visibility and Greater Transparency

For De Gruyter Brill’s Paradigm Publishing Services, pre-publication collections are a regular part of the publishing workflow. Collections are frequently sold before content is available, while titles are added on a rolling basis as publication dates approach.

“We are often selling pre-pub collections and add titles to our eBook collections on a rolling basis,” said Ana. “The fact that we can make these collections visible in Alma before any content is live allows libraries to see that the collections they committed to purchasing are already being managed and prepared for activation.”

According to Ana, the ability to provide visibility earlier in the process was a key reason for participating in the initiative. Rather than waiting until content becomes available, libraries can gain awareness of future collections sooner and better understand what resources are already in the pipeline.

Many libraries purchase collections well before publication and may seek updates regarding activation status during licensing and invoicing periods. Earlier visibility into upcoming collections can help provide reassurance that purchased resources are progressing through the activation process.

“By improving transparency, we hope this will allow libraries to manage acquisitions more effectively,” Ana said.

The feature also supports clearer communication between publishers and libraries by providing visibility into future content plans rather than focusing solely on resources that are already available.

For Publishers: Managing Upcoming Collections More Efficiently

The benefits are not limited to libraries.

De Gruyter Brill’s Paradigm eBook collections are often created as soon as a new partnership is established or preliminary collection information becomes available. Before Upcoming Collections, these collections could only be added to the Ex Libris Manifest after content was live.

“The Upcoming Collections feature allows us to include them on the Ex Libris Manifest from the start, rather than having to add them retroactively once content is live,” Ana explained. “This eliminates several manual steps and reduces the need for frequent internal checks.”

By allowing collections to be represented earlier, publishers can manage future content more proactively and reduce administrative effort throughout the publication process.

Planning for Future Content

Beyond operational efficiencies, Ana sees Upcoming Collections as a way to support broader conversations about future content and collection development.

“When libraries and publishers discuss new partnerships and upcoming collections, these conversations can now include Alma visibility from the earliest stages,” she noted. “The focus shifts beyond currently available collections and supports meaningful discussions around future content.”

By bringing future collections into library workflows earlier, the feature helps libraries plan with greater confidence while giving publishers a clearer way to communicate what is coming next.

Shaping a Feature Around Real-World Needs

As an early participant in the initiative, De Gruyter Brill had the opportunity to provide feedback throughout development and help ensure the feature reflected real-world workflows.

Ana described the collaboration with Clarivate as highly positive.

“The team was highly responsive, provided valuable feedback, and took the time to meet with us directly,” she said. “Their collaborative approach made implementation straightforward and productive.”

For Ana, the value of Upcoming Collections ultimately comes down to confidence, transparency, and planning.

“It gives libraries greater confidence in their purchasing decisions, provides earlier visibility into forthcoming collections, and helps set clear expectations for future access,” she said. “Ultimately, it enhances trust and transparency throughout the acquisition process.”

→ Learn more about the Upcoming Collection functionality on Alma.