Non-traditional library collections – in digital and other worlds.

Mindie Marsh

NT

Michnik, K. & Eriksson, C. (2014). Non-traditional library collections – in digital and other worlds. Interlending & Document Supply, 42(4), p.165-170. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ILDS-09-2014-0043

Summary
This article focused on non-traditional collections and how they might be developed. Non-traditional collections are often developed to attract new users to the library or based on user requests, but the authors argue that this can create unrealistic expectations of what the library is. Instead they encourage developing non-traditional collections based on items that will contribute to a library goal or activity. The article is written in Sweden so they look at common European library goals, but they are not terribly different than those in America. Creating a sustainable society, improving the population, informing a democratic society, social inclusiveness, equal opportunities and environmental impact. Based on these goals different libraries offered games, fitness and hiking equipment, electricity meters, opportunities to learn languages or be creative.

Evaluation

I found this article while searching for information about digital collections, and while it was different from what I was seeking, I found it valuable. The more I have heard about things like Maker Spaces in libraries the more I have wondered what justifies that expenditure over other parts of a library collection. Though the article did not address maker spaces directly, it did help clear this up for me. Michnik & Eriksson (2014) really explained that it all has to do with the institutional goals of the library or larger organization. My local library loans cultural passes, that provide free admission to local museums because part of the library's mission statement is to provide access to the universe of ideas and information. I was thinking as I was reading about libraries loaning hiking gear that that would be a very useful service here, but the expense is not oriented to the library's larger goals, and so is not justified.