Curated Collection from Votes

 

Fogelberg, Rachel

 

Heisserer-Miller, R. A. (2023). A Community Curated Collection in an Academic Library: Empowering Students Through Collection Development. NASIG Proceedings, 37. https://doi.org/10.3998/nasig.4031

 

Summary

This is a presentation given at the 2022 annual NASIG conference about two initiatives at an academic library. The purpose of the programs was to involve students in collection development to overcome decreased funding and a need for student engagement. The first program asked students for subject areas that they wanted to add to the library collection that would interest them, such as mental health. The subject areas were then voted on by the students and new materials were added about that subject. The second program was paid for through a grant. Student groups, like the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association, created a list of materials and submitted their application. While some faculty did not like the initiatives, the presenter said that the programs offered new ways for library engagement in diversity, equity, and outreach.

 

Evaluation

These program ideas sound exciting and could work with a little adaptation in many types of libraries, such as school libraries, especially with high schoolers, and public libraries. The programs are an effective way to get both patrons and the community involved with collection development. In addition to growing physical materials, the programs could ask for other items to create a new collection, whatever the community requested. For example, a “library of things” could be created from donations from the neighborhood based on common needs from a suggestion box. This idea works for school, academic, and public libraries.

Mapping IDEA in collection development: A scoping and bibliometric review

Name:

Slutzky, Erin

Citation: 

Torres, E. M., Jr., & Peñaflor, J. D. (2026). Mapping IDEA in collection development: A scoping and bibliometric review. IFLA Journal, 52(2), 375-387. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352251378765

Summary:

This research analyzed studies from 2001 to 2026 that focused on creating a more inclusive and accessible collection in all types of libraries. The study found that, although progress is being made, it is largely limited to Western libraries geographically. In addition, these studies are mainly librarian-focused rather than user-focused, so underrepresented groups are often being overlooked and not heard. The author argues for increased representation, geographically and socially for underserved communities within this research. They claim that the research is imperative to the work librarians do to create equitable access points to inclusive  information.

Evaluation:

I thought this was a very informative article for those attempting to increase DEI representation across all collections. Its evaluation of progress is astute and helpful as well to librarians or future librarians as we need to remember to focus our attention on user-centric goals by listening to those who are underrepresented within our communities. I also appreciate that the article ties in inclusivity to our overall goal as libraries to provide equitable access to information. This illustrates that DEI and inclusive practices are vital to the successful fulfillment of our goals as information hubs.

Ask the Comics Librarians: Small Spaces

Mayer, Shu

Shannan, Meredith. (2022, February 6). Ask the comics librarians: Small spaces. No Flying No Tights. https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/2022/02/06/ask-the-comics-librarians-small-spaces/ 

Summary:

In this article, two librarians discuss how important space is in libraries and how to most effectively display, collect for, weed, and curate small comic/graphic novel collections. They recommend shelving by book title and curating for the community rather than what is deemed 'popular' by recommended book lists. They also recommend being aggressive in weeding smaller collections since space is premium and promoting them more aggressively since less people may know it is present.

Evaluation:

Overall this is a good article for someone who is unsure where to start when setting up a new collection in a limited space. Or potentially, someone moving an existing small collection from being spread out across the library into one consolidated space. It is an article geared towards comic/graphic novel collections-- as the entire noflyingnotights website is specifically for librarians who need help with comic/graphic collections-- but the advice for smaller collections can be easily generalized. 

 Collection Development: The Basics and Beyond

 Clara Shuler

 Vnuk, R. (2015, July 22) Collection development; The basics and beyond. [Video] YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IEVL8WV73o
 

This video is a recording of a lecture by Rebecca Vnuk on the subject of the basics of Collection development, offered to MLIS graduate students and professionals as a proffessional development opportunity to fill in the gaps for those whos academic program did not give them a strong basis. It is somewhat dated in its references, but provides an excellent, broad overview of the practicalities of collection development, delivered in an an extremely personable and engaging format. It provides some sorely needed practical context for some of the more theoretical research being done on collection development practices. 

A Review of Citation Analysis Methodologies for Collection Management.

Busath, Kellie

Hoffmann, K., & Doucette, L. (2012). A review of citation analysis methodologies for collection management. College & research libraries, 73(4), 321-335.

This article reviewed how multiple institutions went about doing a citation analysis for collection development purposes. Citation analysis is reviewing the citations used by faculty at the institution to see what areas of expertise needed to be accommodated by the library. It included collecting materials that were listed in citations if they were not already acquired by the library and also collecting materials linked to the citations used. This would be done by reviewing citations and then researching what other articles or resources had used that same citation. The citations were also reviewed to spot trends in research for the institution, collecting materials that would aid in future research endeavors. The article itself was a review of the different methodologies that each institution would use for their citation analysis. It was found that many institutions did not have a set methodology, but instead, everyone at the institution would go about it a little differently. Some common things that librarians would look at when doing a citation analysis was:

1. Type of resource

2. Age of resource

3. Frequency of citation

4. Presence of resource in the library

I found this article very interesting. I had heard about doing a citation analysis, but I wasn’t quite clear on the purpose or method behind it. I learned a lot about both! Doing a citation analysis could be helpful for research institutions, depending on the goals of your library. I belong to a research institution, but our collections policy is to only collect for undergraduate curriculum so faculty research interests may or may not align with that curriculum. In addition, I am currently trying to collect for our Communications College and the faculty there do not have the same publishing requirements as the rest of the University, so it is harder to tell what their interests are. Still the methodologies in this article give good insight into doing this type of analysis for collection development.

Digitizing and 3D Printing the Collection at the Smithsonian Museum

 Escobedo, Xavier

Adam Savage’s Tested. (2019, September 2). Digitizing Objects from Smithsonian’s Enormous Collection! YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgqv-MKbogQ

https://3d.si.edu/explore

Summary

The Smithsonian has 155 million artifacts in its collection and less than 1% is ever on display. The Smithsonian is now scanning many items from their collection that would never be seen by the public, and uploading a digitized copy on their website. The public can interact with these artifacts on the Smithsonian 3D digitization page, as well as download 3D printing information so they may print the artifact with their own machine. Artifacts are digitized are by photogrammetry, structure light scanning, and with the FARO Design Scanarm, which shoots lasers to capture the geometry of an object. Educators are able to print their own replica of historical objects and use the 3D printed model for instructional purposes. Inquisitive individuals can comb through the collection and have a fun time learning about various historical artifacts. It is a great way to showcase the Smithsonian’s extensive collection that would otherwise go unseen by the public. 

Evaluation

Digitizing the historical artifacts in the Smithsonian collection further preserves the materials by making them available to the public through the internet. While some historical artifacts may eventually disintegrate, they will now be forever preserved in their digital form and may even have their replicas 3D printed for future generations. Digitizing and 3D printing are great ways for the public to interact with objects that would normally be behind a glass or stored in a warehouse. The bulk of the collection that is stored and never made available to the public now has a new breath of life and helps the museum stay relevant through online visitors.

The tools used for digitizing materials are expensive, but it would be interesting to see if other museums begin digitizing their collection for the public. 

Maybe... just maybe... those European museums could digitize and 3D print their entire collection and eventually give back all the original artifacts that were stolen. 

Pretty cool technology though, jokes aside. 

Sustainability in Library Collection Development: Introducing a Green Audit Template

Jessie Major 

Citation: 

McCord, D., Cassady, S., Roman, P., Cato, J., & Mantz, E. (2025). Sustainability in Library Collection Development: Introducing a Green Audit Template. Canadian Journal of Academic Librarianship / Revue Canadienne De Bibliothéconomie Universitaire, 11, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.33137/cjal-rcbu.v11.43852   

Summary:

This project presents an original 'Green Audit' template to determine how environmentally sustainable an academic publisher is. Publishers are judged based on environmental practices, current impact, and future commitments. A case study of 16 international publishers examines the availability of information, geographic differences, commitments and compliance, materials, transportation, and infrastructure. The results of such a Green Audit can help LIS professionals develop collections which meet sustainability goals and lower their institution's carbon footprint. 

Evaluation:

I was immediately intrigued by the idea of a 'Green Audit' for evaluating a publisher or collection's overall sustainability. I think libraries are often thought of as inherently 'green' or ecologically sustainable because providing access to resources like books cuts down on the overall material over-consumption of goods. While this may be true to some level, just being a 'more sustainable' option than individuals all buying their books does not guarantee that our overall collection is truly sustainable. I also have not come across many discussions of sustainability as it pertains to library collection development, even though environmental practices are becoming more important in other fields. I think the article overall provides an insightful, customizable evaluation technique to consider when planning collection development.