The Selection Process Or…getting the right material, at the right time, for the right price!

Common steps in the selection process 1)Identify collection needs (subjects & formats) 2)Determine available dollars & allocate for subjects & formats 3)Develop a plan to identify possible materials (find the right selection tools) 4)Conduct the search using the tools 5)Assess the value & suitability of the possible materials 6)Make the selection & begin the acquisitions process

Collection process in a public library system Catawba County Library System –Main Library in Newton – the county seat and 6 other community branches Collection development team –Headed by a Collection Development Librarian –Adult fiction team = 1 librarian assisted by 1 library services specialist –Adult nonfiction team = 4 librarians assisted by 1 associate librarian (assigned Dewey areas) –Juvenile and Teen collections = 2 librarians –Audiovisual team = 2 library services specialists

Team duties Ongoing selection – browsing for new materials and purchasing appropriate titles Collection development for each branch –Rotate focus on 7 branches over 3 years –During focus period: Assess the current collections onsite & electronically through system reports Meet and talk with staff Develop a plan Weed outdated and worn materials Purchase according to plan

1) Identify collection needs (subjects and formats) Each team meets at the branch together: –Branch manager presents a report on the community and their assessment of current needs and trends –Team has studied/will continue to study reports of circulation statistics for their areas of responsibility –Team works in stacks to survey condition of materials (may require multiple visits) –Team uses assessment sheets created by collection development librarian to create a plan

2) Determine available dollars & allocate for subjects & formats Collection development librarian works with library director to allocate resources based on: –% of active patrons –Which branches have focus for year –Within that: split about 1/3 for ANF, AF & Youth –Off the top of each branch comes: AY, Continuations, Lease plan, Standing orders, & B & T costs for mylar jackets, outsourced cataloging, etc. –The collection development librarian says “it’s a wonder there’s anything left for the selectors to spend!”

3) Develop a plan to identify possible materials The plan is in place & dollars are ready to be spent. –B & T is our primary vendor – NC public library consortium – rough average of 40% discount. –Use Amazon.com due to a corporate discount & free shipping. –Other vendors as necessary. –We gather our tools and get to work!

4) Conduct the search using the tools Our toolbox includes: –Journal reviews: Library Journal School Library Journal Booklist Horn Book Publisher’s Weekly –“Best of” lists put out by professional associations such as ALA –Publisher catalogs (such as Salem Press for literary resources) –Core lists (such as Public Library Catalog)

5) Assess the value & suitability of the possible materials Good selection is both a science & an art –Science because you develop a process that is systematic & comprehensive –Art because over time you gain experience with: Your patrons & their user patterns Knowledge of reputable publishers and authors You begin to develop a “gut feeling” about what will work and what will not. Be willing to TRUST that “gut feeling” as you build experience. Our teams take several months to purchase according to the plans that we developed.

6) Make the selection & begin the acquisitions process. The bulk of our selections are purchased through B & T. –Create “carts” in B & T and send them through our team leader to be ordered. –Keep our expenditures in Excel spreadsheets to monitor our spending. –Our accounting specialist will help us to order materials from other vendors. –Sit back and wait for that “Christmas” feeling as the new books roll in!

Class Exercise How do you manage?