The Evolution of Library Collections and Collecting

LoBasso-Spencer, Jasmin

Dempsey, L., Malpas, C., & Lavoie, B. (2014). The evolution of library collections and collecting. Portal: Libraries and the Academy 14(3), 393-423.

Summary:
This article is focused on the broad overview of practices concerning collection development. The article asserts that as the world changes, there will be changes in the management of library collections, specifically changes in focus, boundaries, and values. Specific models are highlighted including the network context, the evolving scholarly record, the collections grid, the inside-out collection, managed share print, and sourcing and scaling. In reference to "the network context," there are three major trends highlighted for this aspect of the article: transaction costs and system-wide reorganization, data-driven environment, and the change of researching and learning behaviors. In reference to "the changing scholarly record," conscious stewardship is highlighted and that different libraries will have different goals. In reference to "the collection grid," which focuses on resources that are applied to two values, uniqueness and scarcity, within a grid system (upper left of published materials, purchased and licensed; bottom left of special collections; bottom right of institutional research, learning, and profile materials; and upper right of the open web). In reference to "the inside-out collection," which highlights materials unique to an institution. In reference to "managed share print," which highlights shared resources as print collections are pared down. In reference to "sourcing and scaling," which also extrapolates on the concept of sharing through for example, consortiums. The overall point of the article was to highlight the trends in collection development, brought forth by the changing of academic libraries in general.

Evaluation:
Overall, I found the article to be confusing. Much of the terms and the way they were used was very odd; it also felt like the authors were throwing out a lot of random terms to extrapolate on each element of the article. It was clear to me that you had to have some knowledge of the topic to interpret the article. Therefore, it's possible that my confusion more had to do with me still being introduced to the concept of collection development. The article came from an academic viewpoint, which I know, as compared to a public library, has often taken on the role of archiving and saving a vast majority of knowledge. Therefore, I did find it interesting that some of the highlighted trends in the article are similar to the same trends being seen in public libraries (for instance, locally curated content and shared resources). Clearly, the nature of libraries are changing, since digital archives and websites have allowed a lot of the knowledge that was held sacred in a library, to be available instantly to all.