You Want Me to Select for What?

Rowland, Sarah

You Want Me to Select for What? Getting Started in a New Area [Motion picture]. (2009). YouTube: https://youtu.be/6FiMgZgNwbc?list=PL2FFE2735B171F4A4.

Summary: This is a webinar given by the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services the presenter was Virginia Kay Williams. It started with letting you know the first thing to do is collect background information such as reviewing the collection development policy, reports on missing books, circulation statistics, any surveys that had been done and any existing information on the subject area that has been done previously. Find out the library goals and who the users of the collection are. It really gives a general overview of strategies for selecting in an unfamiliar subject area. Next is making a list of major concepts for the subject area that you are reviewing. This is a list you can refer back to when making selections. Other sources out there that she mentions are to see if your library has a subject specific collection policy, bibliographies or guides, review journals, industry sources, best books list, award lists, media and requests from patrons. If you are working in an academic library you could go talk with faculty and students to find out what they are researching. In other words talk to the people using the collection.

Evaluation: It was a nice overview on what to do when faced with selecting materials in an area that you’re not familiar with. It was nice to see that she started with similar concepts we learned in class about getting to know your community. ALCTS has a nice YouTube channel with lots of webinars dealing with many topics we have covered in class. Highly recommend as review or to learn more about specific areas.