1. + Presentation 7: Reflection on Collection Development at the Mary L. Stephens Public Library By Jacqueline Danziger-Russell LIBR 266 Collection Development Fall, 2013 Dr. Loertscher SJSU

2. + From the library’s Mission Statement: “The Yolo County Library provides access for all to books, informational technology and other media to inform, entertain and inspire” (Approved by Policy, 5/2004)

3. + The Community The Mary L. Stephens Branch is the Davis branch of the Yolo County Public Library. It serves a population of about 65,622, according to the 2010 Census. Also according to the 2010 Census, 49.1% of this population are family households. The Davis branch’s children’s collection strives to serve children from infancy through school-age children, their families, as well as educators in the community (there is a separate young adult collection serving tweens-teens).

4. + Values: “Circulation: Library users have convenient, equal access to all library materials. Helpful staff conducts all transactions in a professional, fair and confidential manner.” “Collection: Yolo County Library offers a balanced, up-to-date collection in a wide variety of formats which reflects the interests and needs of a diverse community.” “Reference: Well-trained professionals assist and guide users in obtaining information from a variety of current resources and technologies. Service is confidential, respectful, accurate, timely and free of charge.” “Computers/Technology: Yolo County Library will provide free and equal access to reliable, up-to-date technology for research, information and communication needs. Users will be assisted by knowledgeable staff in order to facilitate independent use of library technology.” “Youth Services/Programming: Youth Services provides stimulating, entertaining materials and events in order to introduce youth to the library. Enthusiastic staff will inspire youth to love reading and pursue life-long learning.” (Approved by Policy 5/20/04)

5. + Children and use of the Library According to State Report Statistics gathered from program attendance at the Mary L. Stephens Branch taken in May 2012, there were 83 total programs offered that month. 47 out of the 83 programs offered that month were for children.  27 preschool programs  20 school-age programs Out of these programs, 474 school-age children attended 949 pre-schoolers attended

6. + What the Numbers Tell Us: From this statistical overview, it appears that preschoolers are the most served population in this community. The library might think about how it can design programs and services that reach more school-age children. It is unclear from this study whether minorities, young English language learners, and children with disabilities are benefiting from these programs or not. There may also be some English language learners in our community who do not realize that programs and services are free for themselves and their families. Greater community outreach (multilingual outreach) may be necessary.

7. + One of the Library’s Greatest Weaknesses… The Website. The library’s website is difficult to navigate due to poor web design. It is also one-way use only-not an information commons It is certainly not English language learner- or child- friendly. The biggest problem in transforming the website is that it is a part of the Yolo county website and conforms to a template that is inconvenient to library use. The shortcomings of the website may be having an impact on user outreach.

8. + Greatest Strengths: The Children’s Collection

9. + A Closer Look The creation of this infographic allowed me to see how the library might develop the collection in the future. For instance, I noted that there didn’t appear to be enough choice in certain topical categories for eBooks or downloadable audiobooks through OverDrive. Also, some topical categories did not have enough Spanish language items. An examination of the current annual budget informed me of how we might develop this collection in the future.

10. + The Current Budget

11. + Collection Mapping for the Next 10 Years:

12. + Overview of Developments:  “animals,” “myths,” “science experiments,” and “dinosaurs” increase.  All topics increase their digital items due to re-allocation of funds (except for, perhaps, Magic Tree House and Magic School Bus titles).  Physical titles in the topic categories of “magic,” “jokes & riddles,” “drawing,” “holidays,” “sports,” and “princesses,” and “Star Wars” should be maintained at the physical level, but grown digitally.  Only Magic Tree House and Magic School Bus may be de-emphasized.

13. + Who Will Decide? Where Will the Money Come From? Currently, there are four selectors for the Children’s Collection These selectors, along with other selectors in the Yolo County Public Library system, library and county administrators, the Davis City Council, as well as the Friends of the Davis Library should meet in order to brainstorm a budget increase that will meet needs of the Children’s Collection. eBooks, downloadable audio, and Spanish language books are areas in which the collection should build. The Davisites already pay a parcel tax for the library—more city growth (which is occurring now) means more revenue. Some of that money could possibly be allocated to the Children’s budget. Perhaps City Council could find a way to have developers pay a fee that goes toward the Children’s Collection, if they want to build in Davis.

14. + Future Improvements In order to build not only a better collection, but a better library, overall, the library must improve on the following points: The library website needs an update that would make information more accessible—an information commons would be the most desirable outcome. An official, detailed collection policy should be drafted and made available on the website for the community to see—a specific children’s collection development policy would be a boon to the library. Internet speed could be improved. The Children’s Collection should offer more digital/downloadable items as well as Spanish and other language items in the major topical categories. The library might look into loaning technical devices, such as e-readers.