Info 266- The Collection Development Policy

 Anna Nicholson

Sullivan, M. (2013). The collection development policy [for children's services]. In M. Sullivan (Ed.), Fundamentals of children's services (2nd ed., pp. 45-54). ALA. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/sjsu/detail.action?docID=3001691 

Summary: In this chapter, the author explains the purpose of a collection development policy, defines policy, and explains the different pieces that make up this policy- particularly in children’s services. The chapter then expands upon the importance of aligning the policy with the organization’s mission and vision statements. Next, the chapter explores how service roles and selection criteria and responsibility need to be reflected in the collection development policy. Finally, Sullivan explains how to break down a collection by topics and subsections to determine what resources are needed, where they should be placed, and how the collection supports intellectual freedom. 

Evaluation: This was a useful chapter because it did a good job explaining the purpose of a development policy and how to create and use one. In addition, I appreciated that this resource was specific towards children's services because it helped me understand the different concerns and issues that I should be aware of when making a collection development policy for a school library. Ultimately, this was a clear, concise resource that I would recommend reading for more information about the roles information professionals play and the criteria that should be used when selecting or deselecting children's materials. 

San Francisco Public Library Needs Assessment: Report on Findings

 Stephanie Armatis

Wonder, Valerie (2010). San Francisco Public Library Needs Assessment: Report on Findings. WebJunction. Retrieved from https://www.webjunction.org/content/dam/WebJunction/Documents/webJunction/SFPL-Patron-Needs-Assessment.pdf 

Summary: This is a needs analysis performed by the San Francisco Public Library system in 2010. They identified a need to increase library services though they were dealing with a decrease of library funds. The main goal was to start an online instruction program. To perform the needs assessment, library staff gave written and oral surveys to patrons, organized focus groups, and compiled informal observations and existing data in order to understand user needs and the potential for the proposed program. From this they identified patron needs, which included: career-centered assistance (like resume and application help), social and government help (like citizenship and tax help), educational assistance (like homework help), enrichment and recreational activities, and various skill-based needs like computers and how to use the library and its resources. From these observations and conclusions, they were able to develop their needs assessment and the next steps that their library will take in order to achieve them.

Evaluation/Opinion: This resource can be useful to see how other libraries perform a needs assessment since that is one thing that can affect collection management decisions. Though this needs assessment is older (2010) it was done in response to the recession. Many libraries are dealing with decreases in budgets because of the current pandemic, so the two scenarios will have some similarities. I liked the suggestions about instruction that were mentioned, like marketing what the library already has to offer and to not do it alone (meaning you don’t have to create everything in-house and you can direct patrons to online tutorials that can be found elsewhere online). With dwindling budgets, tips like these will be especially useful for libraries nowadays.

Introductory Policy Writing in School Libraries

 Kami Whitlock

Abercrombie, S. (2018). Why do you need a collection development plan? Retrieved from https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/why-do-you-need-a-collection-development-plan/

Abercrombie explains the importance of a collection development plan in a school library. If written and used effectively, the plan can be a great advocacy tool and show the library programs support of the school’s mission. Also, the plan benefits the librarian when it comes to clarifying policies, book challenges, and her evaluation cycle. She explains including selection, deselection, and reconsideration policies. When writing a selection policy consider students needs for pleasure reading, curriculum support, and administrations direction for the school. A deselection policy makes selection possible. A collection must be weeded to be relevant. Finally, a reconsideration policy is necessary to protect the collection and student’s rights. Having a clear reconsideration policy gives the librarian a plan and protocol if/when a book is challenged.

 

This article gives insight into collection development policies at school libraries. Abercrombie quickly breaks down what selection, deselection, and reconsideration policies are and gives example of when each is necessary and what they entail. Creating or revamping library policy is prudent for librarians. This article is a great place to start for general information before doing a deep dive into policy writing.

What to Think About When Managing a Collection

 Kami Whitlock

Preschel Kalan, A. (2014). The practical librarian's guide to collection development. Retrieved from https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2014/05/20/the-practical-librarians-guide-to-collection-development/

 

Preschel shares her thought process while weeding and purchasing books. She first talks about the importance of knowing the library’s user population. She then shares her thought process while weeding. She suggests establishing priorities, checking statistics, examining the physical condition of books, and keeping guides current. She also shares tips for materials on different subjects. One take away from the article is to think of this process as ongoing. She is weeding and purchasing books as much as she can throughout the whole year. This gives her a chance to add additional copies of books that are in high demand and adapt frequently to users needs. To be successful in this, she must be very aware of her budget.

 

This article is meaningful for librarians who are new to collection development. Although the information in this article is brief, the points she suggests to think about are meaningful and useful. She gives practical examples and explainations of what to look for while making weeding and purchasing decisions.  

An Introduction to 21st Century Collection Development

 

Kami Whitlock

Mickelsen, A. (2016). Practice makes perfect: Collections. Retrieved from https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=practice-makes-perfect-collections

Modern day collection development has many factors to take into consideration. A librarian must develop a virtual collection as well as a physical collection and make sure access to the collection is equitable. This takes an understanding of patrons’ needs, content, and budget. Although the advancement of technology has increased the faucets of collection development, it has also increased the number of resources that can be used to assess materials. Michelsen touches on donations and weeding/maintenance in this article as well.

 

This article is a great introductory piece to collection development. It touches briefly on each aspect of the collection development process and shows insight to the challenges that this process brings to librarians. The information is current, relevant and clear.