Artists’ Books & Collection Development

Author: de Santiago-Stewart, Brenda

Citation:

McLeland, D. C. (2017). Artists’ books collection development: Balancing traditional and nontraditional acquisition strategies. RBM: A Journal of Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Cultural Heritage, 18(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.5860/rbm.18.1.19

Summary:

McLeland examines how collecting artists’ books pushes libraries to rethink traditional acquisition workflows. Because artists’ books often use unconventional materials, formats, and production methods, standard purchasing channels don’t always work. The article compares traditional acquisitions (vendors, publisher catalogs, established artists) with more experimental approaches (direct purchases from emerging artists, attending book fairs, collaborations with local art communities). McLeland also acknowledges real budget constraints that limit how much curators can experiment.

Reflection / Relevance to Collection Management:

This article connects directly to the challenges I’ve been thinking about with RISD’s Artists’ Books collection. In my Collection Map, it’s easy to categorize something as “Build,” but McLeland reminds me that “building” this area often means navigating nonlinear acquisition paths and making curatorial choices that don’t fit the usual workflows. It reinforces the idea that collection management for artists’ books is as much about relationships — with artists, local communities, and alternative presses — as it is about budgets or policies. For a school like RISD, where experimental formats are the norm, this flexible acquisition mindset feels essential.

Community-Curated Collection through Student Empowerment

Smit, Elizabeth

Heisserer-Miller, R. & McAlister, L.R. (2023). New horizons for academic library collection 
development: Creating a community curated collection through student empowerment. Journal of Library Outreach & Engagement, 3(2023), 119-135.

Summary:

Librarians at Southeast Missouri State University started two programs to get more patron input into collection development. The first let students nominate and then vote on which section of the library should get a special $3,000 budget. The second created a grant program for student groups to suggest materials needed by the library. Items purchased through the first program saw a jump in usage while items purchased through the second program saw lower than average usage. In both cases, the researchers were pleased with the student engagement with the programs and the relationships built between the library and the affinity groups on campus. One grant turned into an on-going project and a new special collection in the library.

Opinion:

While I don't think the results of this study are particularly exciting, encouraging patrons to take ownership over portions of the collection sounds like a great way to improve circulation and engagement. The programs here might not translate directly to your library or budget but they're a good jumping off point. And, the researchers' enthusiasm for the programs is catching! I know my students would love to pick books, but I often worry that they'll choose books that are trendy now & then they'll will be forgotten before they even arrive. Sometimes we take book suggestions but I would love to have students vote for which section of the library needs a tune-up next year. Our library doesn't receive enough money to give grants to student groups but it would be nice to include other areas than English, Science & Social Studies in our purchasing decisions.

Collaborative Collection Development for Specialized Collections

Dailey, Kaitlin

Carr, M. (2013). Crowdsourcing content to promote community and collection development in public libraries. Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship 25(4), 313-316. 
DOI: 10.1080/1941126X.2013.847690 

Summary:
This article focuses on how important it is to reach out to community members in order to bring their own works into a collection. Specifically, this article focuses on chapbooks from poets which represent a difficult collection to work with for librarians because there is a constant tug between what is wanted and the quality. The idea is that by encouraging community members to voluntarily deposit their works into the library so patrons can get what they want and the collection can remain relevant to today's users.

Evaluation:
I rather enjoyed this article a lot because I think it is very important to include community members when selecting content for a collection. I noticed that with my library as well as other public libraries that there is a huge focus on the user initiating the process for collection development. Some libraries do have internal lists that they pull from, but they predominantly focus on the patrons for their development which does not always work. But, by utilizing a information community and creating a space for collaboration, Carr is demonstrating that development can occur at a local level for the collection that is still relevant and what is desired. I would have liked to have seen a broader study, but based on the scope it would have been problematic to focus on a larger collection.

Selecting While White: Breaking Out of the Vendor Box

Dager, Katey

Couillard-Smith, Chelsea. (2017, October 3). Selecting While White: Breaking Out of the Vendor Box. Retrieved from http://readingwhilewhite.blogspot.com/2017/10/selecting-while-white-breaking-out-of.html

Reading While White is a blog about diversity and inclusion in children's and YA literature. This post is emblematic of the site, since it is by a white librarian who wants to ensure that her collection is as racially inclusive as possible. As she addresses, there is not a lot of diversity in the traditional publishing world. Her suggestions are to advocate for diverse books, ask more of your vendors, and consider purchasing from small presses, independent authors, and local booksellers. Even amazon can be a source for great self-published authors that are not carried by major vendors.

I think this is a really important topic to cover. It is well-known that major publishers don't have enough diversity, but I think many people wouldn't consider going down these routes to get better representation in their collection. Independent authors and small presses are not going to be carried by large vendors, but they can be a valuable addition to a collection, and I think librarians should look into these options whenever they can.

Katie Vanous

Hirsh, D. (2015). Collection Development and Trends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqY7PfymvUo

Summary
David Hirsh is a Librarian for Middle Eastern Studies @ UCLA. This video covers how they collect materials from and about the Middle Eastern world, including the issues that come with that job. This video is about 1 hour and 15 mintues. It also includes E-resources that are available for these items is also covered, it appears that these are new and still improving upon these resources. This video is based on academic libraries.

Evaluation
This video helped me to understand how difficult it can be to acquire resources, books, etc from certain parts of the world. For materials in English often all that has to be done is a search online and a click of a button, those purchases are easy and it is easy to forget that not all purchases are like that. Hirsh overviews how they go about finding materials from the middle eastern region of the world and in the languages spoken, along with how they go about making the purchases.

The changing Nature of library budgeting

Samnath, Kayla

Rossmann, D., & Arlitsch, K. (2015). From acquisitions to access: The changing nature of library budgeting. Journal of Library Administration, 55(5), 394-404.

Summary:

The focus of this article was to explore the shifts in library budgets. Due to the shift the digital environment, the authors argue that there should also be a shift in budgets and in materials in which libraries provide its patrons. Typically library budgets include a separate budget for IT services. These budgets are also normally small, which really puts libraries who have began shifting towards digital resources in a tight spot. With small budgets, and many cuts, libraries find themselves with a print collection that has had no growth, or even reversed (2015, p.396).

Rossmann and Arlitsch use Montana State University as an example of an old acquisitions model in which is now criticised. Montana State University’s old model consisted of:

• Books, videos, maps
• Journals
• Microforms
• E-books
• E-journals and databases
• Interlibrary loan/document delivery
• binding

(2015, p.398). The authors critique this type of model because it really doesn’t take into consideration the libraries ever changing role as providers of not only information, but of technologies as well. The authors instead provide a new acquisitions model, one that focuses on offering tools and services to patrons. Rossmann and Arlitsch suggest that vision statements should be adjusted based on the observation of shifting to libraries providing technological tools rather than just information. They suggest vision statements change focus in the following ways:

• Teaching and Learning
• Research Services
• Engagement

(2015, p. 398).

Adopting these into vision statements for acquisitions allows much more room within the budget to focus on more IT factors. This presents a unique opportunity for libraries, taking into consideration the impact of technology, and shifting in materials to provide more tools and services to access materials versus a physical print collection.

Evaluation:

This article presented a new idea in which libraries can try to merge certain budgets. The focus is that libraries should change the services they offer their patrons. It is not a negative change, and it by no means discusses eliminating a print collection. Instead it suggests that with technological shifts, libraries are shifting as well. The digital realm offers patrons a lot, however this technology is still costly.

Budget is a serious issue that all libraries are struggling with. There have been massive cuts, which has an impact on what libraries can acquire for their collection. I would recommend this article for students interested in exploring how library budgets can be modified, as well as exploring vision statements to further define their acquisitions process.

Foolproof Graphic Novel Collection Development

Deligencia, Nick

Kosturski, K. (2012, October 12). Foolproof graphic novel collection development. Retrieved from https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/foolproof-graphic-novel-collection-development/

Summary:  Graphic novels cover fiction and nonfiction topics.  A library can start with a small collection and grow it over time.  Many TV shows and movies are based on graphic novels, which is helping to push graphic novels into the mainstream.  The author suggests that developing this area of a library collection can draw new patrons to the library.  Comics are also discussed in the article, particularly because “Comics fans go to the library. They like to read.” 

Comments:  This article is great if you’re just getting started thinking about graphic novels.  The graphic novels collection in my school library definitely has the highest voluntary circulation rate, and students are always asking for more.  Since it’s unlikely that a school library has sufficient funding to acquire all graphic novels and comics that students request, a few guiding principles about developing this area of the library is tremendously useful.

Practical Tips on Weeding and Acquisition

Deligencia, Nick

Kalan, A.P. (2014, May 20). The practical librarian's guide to collection development: Weeding and acquisition made easier. Retrieved from https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2014/05/20/the-practical-librarians-guide-to-collection-development/

Summary: A public librarian offers advice about weeding in preparation for acquisition. The author provides practical tips about "easy weeding" for "subject areas that change rapidly", including guidebooks that require continuous updating. Other considerations are suggested: historical or political (expounded upon in the article), memoirs, technology and science. Some guiding concepts about "politically incorrect works" help readers think about today's patrons.

The author recommends dividing the new materials budget by 12 to keep monthly acquisitions in line with budget constraints. It is important to know what customers want, and to recognize that they are likely seeking titles that have been reviewed in various media or appear on best seller lists. Library holds and other statistics provide insight about in-demand titles, authors, genres.

Commentary: Recommended reading.

The article is not lengthy, and it delivers on the title. For a novice librarian, ideas about where to begin the weeding process are tremendously useful. The author also describes a thought-process for determining how to determine what gets weeded. The article's section about acquisitions seem directed at well-funded libraries. A bulleted list of tips near the end of the article is too concise to be summarized here and that alone makes that section, at-least, worth reading.

Collection Development and Management

Chase, Matthew
Fall 2016

Citation:

Lehman, K. A. (2014). Collection development and management: An overview of the literature 2011-12. Library Resources & Technical Services, 58, 169-177.

Summary:

This article provides comprehensive insight into the collection development literature published during 2011 and 2012. The author examined the issues confronting librarians as budget cuts, space limitations, and the increasing emergence of digital resources arise. In order to thrive in the new digital world, Lehman pays special attention to how collection development and acquisitions strategies are shifting toward patron-driven demand. The issues presented by the author have also provided libraries with the opportunity of innovative thinking as they strive for balance between print anddigital collections with open access resources, shared collection building, and re-purposing space beyond ownership.

Evaluation:

In addition to being a bibliographic treasure of citations on collection development trends, the article also proves to be a valuable glimpse into the ever-changing direction of the subject. In particular, it offers innovative strategies drawn from other libraries on how to address issues affecting many communities today such as budgetary and space limitations. Yet these very limitations, as the author points out, have led to new ways of building collections that better reflect their intended users.

Guides to Collection Development for Children and Young Adults

O'Brien, Sarah 
 

Book Review 

Gillespie, John T. (1998) Guides to Collection Development for Children and Young Adults. Libraries Unlimited (191 pages)

The essential handbook about collection development for children and young adults, John Gillespie has compiled a bibliography of bibliographies, indexes and professional reference material for any librarian who is focusing on building a bigger and better juvenile and young adult collection. This book is divided by sections covering periodicals, sources for children and young adults and sources for professionals. This expansive annotated bibliography is both detailed and extremely valuable for librarians. This book is highly recommended for anyone studying and researching Children’s Literature and more.

First extracted from the references from the Virginia Kay Williams article I previously wrote about, I ended up buying this book for myself to continue my education and research into juvenile collections. This is an excellent and easy to use handbook that should be on every librarians shelf, it provides access to bibliographies, indexes and professional reference material. As a graduate student studying Children’s Literature and Collection Development, this book would have been extremely valuable during my earlier courses, why my Children Lit professors did not include this handbook, I don’t know!!! As a future Children’s Librarian, I know this book will become extremely handy and helpful  throughout my career.

Collection Policy and the Library of Congress

       During our last workshop, we explored library policy. This post examines areas of policy within the Library of Congress. By exploring elements used and not used by our National model of libraries we can assess how other libraries adapt policies, and if they align with Library of Congress Practices. They provide the policy framework to support the Library's responsibilities to serve the Congress as well as the United States Government as a whole, the scholarly community, and the general public (LOC, 2008). The collection policy begins by defining who the policy serves. Second, the LOC explains what the collection policy does, “They set forth the scope, level of collecting intensity and goals sought by the Library to fulfill its service mission” (LOC, 2008). While these points are simple, they are strategically important in order to make decisions about collection developments.  Fundamental principal of the collection include:

• The Library should possess all books and other materials (whether in original form or copy) which record the life and achievement of the American people; and
• The Library should possess in some useful form, the records of other societies, past and present, and should accumulate, in original or in copy, full and representative collections of the written records of those societies and peoples whose experience is of most immediate concern to the people of the United States.

This principals continue and a framing of the design begins is easily understood by both librarians, government officials, and the general population. LOC policies continue and branch off to different subjects. Picking a subject at random, the LOC maintains a sense of their frameworks when examining earth sciences. The Library is committed to collecting all subject areas in earth sciences primarily at the research level regardless of formats in order to serve the needs of the Congress, scholars, and the general public, and to carry out the Library’s archival responsibility to collect and preserve historical materials for tomorrow’s researchers (LOC, 2008). The model of policy frameworks for the LOC collection is a great reference for librarians to use when defining their own library policy. 

References:

Library of Congress, November 2008

http://www.loc.gov/acq/devpol/earth.pdf

http://www.loc.gov/acq/devpol/cps.html

The Past, Present, and Future of Demand-Driven Acquisitions in Academic Libraries

Zatko, Ruzena

Goedeken, E. g., & Lawson, K. k. (2015). The Past, Present, and Future of Demand-Driven Acquisitions in Academic Libraries. College & Research Libraries, 76(2), 205-221.

 

 

 

Summary

 

This paper covers what makes a great collection and best practices and guidelines in collection management. Some key factors to consider in proper management is being in tuned with what is circulating, otherwise money is being wasted keeping items that patrons don't care for on the shelves. Goedeken and Lawson (2015) go on to mention that digital collections can actually be disruptive and should be acquired with care. In all, its important to not just give patrons what they want but instead give them what they need.

 

Evaluation

 

In this research, some great points were brought up for academic acquisitions. Some important things to consider is for the acquisitions librarian to not necessarily fall for the "trends" or go all digital, etc. Patrons will have demands and want the newest and latest. However, it is important for the librarian to weed through and find quality material for the patron. The paper considers analysis of the current collection, balance the traditional approach of acquiring material, and know all about their user and their needs.

E-Resource Acquisitions in Academic Library Consortia

Turner, C. (2014). E-resource acquisitions in academic library consortia. Library Resources and

            Technical Services, 58(1), 33-48.

15pp

In his article, “E-Resources Acquisitions in Academic Library Consortia,” Turner discusses the shift that academic libraries have been experiencing over the past decade that is becoming more marked in recent years concerning acquisition and making access to e-resources. There is concern about duplication of items because of package deals that some libraries have not been able to avoid. There are also collaborative consortia aimed at reducing the cost of e-resources among libraries sharing resources. Though consortia demands are in sympathy with academic library needs, they do impose some of their own competing demands.