-Library products and services can be placed in one of four categories:
-Stars (high growth, high market share). These services are may be costly because they are growing fast, but they're worth the investment because they have a high return.
-Example: The rapid growth of e-books would fall into this category. They require new purchases to keep up with demand, but they are in high demand.
-Cash Cows (low growth, high market share). These services are inexpensive and easy to maintain.
-Example: Many states provide free access to subscription databases. Libraries provide access and tutorials through their website so they are free and easy to maintain.
-Question Marks (high growth, low market share). These services grew rapidly, but they don't have enough use to make them cost-effective and their future is uncertain.
-Example: Many users purchased Blue-Ray players so libraries have purchased Blue-Ray DVDs. However the market may be shifting away from physical videos. Is it worth the investment? Question Marks can easily become Stars or Dogs.
-Dogs (low growth, low market share). These services aren't expensive, but they also don't generate much use. Are they worth continuing to support? Are they taking up shelf space that could be used for something else? It may be time to get rid of the virtual file and audiotape collections.
-Example: If your volunteer enjoys maintaining the vertical file and it receives occasional use, there may not be a compelling reason to liquidate that resource even though you might consider it a "dog". Instead, you might focus on government documents that are not yet in digital format.
-Although the BCG matrix is useful, it's only one of many areas to consider when looking at marketing the library. It's important not to overemphasize high growth. In some cases, a "dog" might be an essential service to a small audience. Although books on audiotape may not be as popular as they once were, they may still have a consistent group users.
-It may also be possible to repackage services into a new approach at set of services.
-"Access Services at The University of Montana, Mansfield Library has changed and evolved over the last 20 years. Interlibrary Loan and Reserve Material services experienced explosive growth followed by recent continuous declines. Circulation of library materials also generally declined. The previous necessity for and advantage of managing Access Services units together may now be outweighed by new user needs and organizational opportunities. The following new strategic alignment is proposed: combining Circulation, Stack Management, and Copy Services with Reference in an Information Center (and eventually a Student Learning Commons); integrating Interlibrary Loan with Acquisitions; and affiliating Course Reserve Materials with Instruction and Distance Education." – Brown, 2010