Art library collections at research universities: Challenges and opportunities for collaborative collection development

 Ricci, G., & Salmon, L. (2022). Art library collections at research universities: Challenges and opportunities for collaborative collection development. Art Libraries Journal, 47(3), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.1017/alj.2022.10

    
    There can be many different types of collections, with different restrictions and issues with each one. This article discusses how art libraries function. According to the author, they are still mainly confined to print. That can lead to difficulties when it comes to circulation. As an example, the two libraries mentioned primarily relied on in person visits and copying materials. This weakness was fully displayed during the pandemic, when they found they could not service their communities well anymore. The article focuses on how the two libraries handled their pandemic problems, as well as discuss the options they found available. The authors disagreed upon the presented options, but recognized the need to work with various other people and plan on measuring the effects of their joint efforts. 

    This article was an interesting one to read, as it discussed several things that can be somewhat taken for granted. First of all, not all institution have been willing or able to transfer their resources online. However, it also gave an interesting view of the collaboration between the two, with the two authors coming from different fields. It is a short article, and worth a read.

Business, Libraries, and Acquisitions

  

  In the article, “Pandora’s Rdio Acquisition Sets Stage for Epic Streaming Music Battle”, it seems the challenge and approaches this specific music streaming company experiences are similar to the challenges public libraries confront (2015).  Pandora continues to look for ways to improve the user experience while keeping an eye on the threats of competition. In the Golden Age of Technology, simply identifying technological threats can require special expertise and vigilance.  Roettgers, 2015,  article describes a recent purchase of a smaller streaming company that will revitalize Pandora services. Pandora is a private company that only provides a music service, however, they share a great deal in common with libraries. Pandora allows listeners to stream music for free under the condition they must listen to an occasional advertisement. Libraries offer access to many types of media and technology for free, traditionally, without exposing the user to ads. Pandora has to sustain acquisition developments that are similar to library acquisition projects. The biggest factor that Pandora has in common with libraries is the threat of competition. With information available to users conveniently and affordably through the internet, the library is often assessing if they’re service is meeting the majority of patron need in contrast to what the internet can offer. Business practices demonstrated by Pandora, through merging and buying out smaller companies might be an idea that libraries can use to strengthen their patron interest. As library revitalization continues, watching how similar private businesses make careful decisions to sustain at odds against web-based competition might help to increase the level of success libraries experience.

Reference: 

http://variety.com/2015/digital/features/pandora-rdio-acquisition-streaming-music-1201647054/

Pandora’s Rdio Acquisition Sets Stage for Epic Streaming Music Battle

November 25, 2015 | 10:00AM PT

Janko Roettgers

Senior Silicon Valley Correspondent @jank0