Dailey, Kaitlin.
Todorinova, L., Deputy, B. R. (2011). Untapped resources: Graduate assistants and collection development. In B. R. Bernhardt, L. H. Hinds, K. P. Strauch (Eds.), Something's gotta give (pp. 584-589). DOI: 10.5703/1288284314969
Summary:
This book chapter discusses how libraries are incorporating MLIS students into collection development practices, and the positive impact that this has on not only the students but also the library since the budget does not have to be reallocated to accommodate additional staff members. I felt that this chapter was something that as MLIS students we could all identify with as we are learning about collection development and could incorporate some of the ideas or themes into our own libraries. The article starts off with a brief introduction of where collection development falls within a library, where "paraprofessionals and student assistants" play a role currently, and the history of paraprofessionals in the library. After this brief introduction, the article discusses what role collection development plays in the current curricula, graduate students in the library, along with the incentives of incorporating graduate students into the library.
Evaluation:
So, I really liked this article because I feel that I am someone who learns the best in a very hands-on environment, so this article catered to me. However, I can see the hesitance in some professionals when incorporating students into their institution. When I started working in libraries as an undergraduate, there was a fair amount of training that I had to complete prior to being on the floor (and I was being paid). Looking at graduate students, it may be more difficult to motivate them when they're already working so hard to complete their degrees. Additionally, I've noticed that many of the students in this program are library professionals already in some capacity so it may be less of an incentive to help their library for free when they're already working so hard as it is.
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