Collection Management ABLE: Administering Better Libraries—Educate Module 5

Learning Objectives Participants will be able to Update and rework library collection development policies and procedures. Maintain a healthy and useful collection through weeding and materials selection.

Overview Collection Development Policy Materials selection Evaluation of collection Weeding

Collection Development Policy Identification, selection, acquisition, and evaluation of materials. A set of resources that will be most useful for your community.

What’s the difference between a policy and a procedure? A policy is a course of action on a specific topic adopted by a library. Procedures are the steps to be followed in implementing the policy. Why do we need them?

Elements of a Collection Development Policy Goals of the collection Materials Selection Collection Evaluation and Assessment Reconsideration of Materials Sample Collection Development Policy

Selecting Print Materials Highest quality serving the most people at the lowest price. Which bindings are best? Why continue to buy print reference books?

Choosing books, DVDs, etc. Subject matter Construction quality Potential use Relevance to the collection Authority

Criteria for Nonfiction Authority Currency Scope Organization Cost

Selection Sources Book Reviews “Best of” lists, awards, bibliographies Core Collection References Word of Mouth

New York Times Book Review Annotated list of bestsellers

Why read reviews? Can save time in the long run Increase ability to advise readers and researchers Catch titles you don’t want to miss Browse, skim your favorite source regularly.

Allocating for Collections Allocation indicates priorities Should reflect goals in Collection Development Policy Review annually

Making the most of a small budget “Cheap, Fast, Good – choose two” Distributor discounts Grants Wish lists “Birthday” books

Selecting AV materials What are they? Special Criteria  Repair cost and equipment  Longevity  Equipment needed to use material

Online Databases vs. the World Wide Web Online databases are searchable collections of published articles. The world wide web consists of websites developed by anyone with access to a server. Open Access “Free Web vs. Online Databases”

Evaluation of Collection Annually Review policy & goals Assess collection

Weeding Keep your collection current, accessible, and tailored to your users’ needs. Why weed?

Roadblocks to Weeding People will get upset. I don’t have time. Destroying public property. It might be useful someday. My shelves will be empty. Books are sacred.

CREW Method of Weeding Continuous Review, Evaluation, & Weeding “MUSTIE”

MUSTIE criteria Misleading Ugly Superseded Trivial Irrelevant Elsewhere

Repair, replace, or discard? Repair (cost, importance to the collection) Replace (new copy, newer edition, newer book?) Discard (MUSTIE)

What do I do with discarded books? Sell Donate Recycle (as paper or art) Throw away

What the Board, your Staff, and the Public need to know Board Staff Public

Public Concerns about Weeding Post your Collection Development Policy on your web page Post signs Designate a contact for questions

Resources Fundamentals of Collection Development and Management. Johnson, Peggy. ALA, 2004 A Core Collection for Young Adults. Jones, Patrick. Neal-Schuman, 2003.

Thank you for coming Evaluations