Collection Managment

Smith, Cassandra

Engelson, L. (2015). Collection management [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qOxRIVr-aY

Summary
This 19 minute video explains that simply having materials in your collection isn't sufficient. It is imperative to be able to find and retrieve the information easily through Collocation and Differentiation. The five laws of library science are explained as:

1. Books (materials) are for use
2. Every reader his book
3. Every book its reader
4. Save the time of the reader
5. The library is a growing organism (garden)

It is further explained that each library should be unique. Or in other words, you don’t need nor should you have a copycat collection. The focus ought to be on the needs of the users, which can greatly vary from library to library, even within the same system.

Evaluation

More an more libraries are adapting to the needs of the users rather than just covering a little bit of everything. Some places have diverse communities that demand for materials in various languages. Other places have collections that are entirely digital. There are even libraries that circulate more than just books, such as tools, seeds, toys, musical instruments, and so on. The key is to find out what is needed by the users, acquire it into the collection, and get it into the hands of the community that needs it. Having like items grouped together makes it easier for users to find what they are looking for, rather than having to wander around and asking questions. A library must be user friendly.

Changes in Reference Assistance and Collection Development in the Digital Age

Chase, Matthew
Fall 2016

Citation:

Caton, S. (2016). Perspectives: Changes in reference assistance and collection development in the digital age. Legal References Services Quarterly, 35, 77-100.

Summary:

This article confronts the challenges of maintaining print and digital collections in law libraries. Drawing from his professional experiences as a law librarian, the author critically compares them to the extant literature and survey results to assess collection development in law libraries of various types. In particular, he found that while law students are increasingly using electronic resources, not all of them have the same skill or knowledge to access them. The impact of collection development and reference services are thus intertwined, requiring more collaboration.

Evaluation:

What I especially liked about this article is its acknowledgment regarding the often complex and mutual interaction between reference services and collection development. Although the author limited his study to law libraries specifically, this finding can be applied to other types of libraries as well and should be considered in both future research and practice. While print collections certainly retain their importance, the development of digital collections is leading to a transformative shift in how librarians are limited and enabled to assist the communities with their information needs.

Developing Library Collections for Today's Young Adults

Chase, Matthew
Fall 2016

Citation:

Pattee, A. S. (2014). Developing library collections for today’s young adults. Lanham: Scarecrow Press.

Summary:

This book addresses the complexities and issues surrounding collection development that specifically targets youth populations. The author highlights the many steps and procedures to an effective development, ranging from needs assessment to evaluation to selection and expansion to even the weeding and removal of collection materials. She balances the book by approaching the development of print materials as well as the digital, to reflect the diversifying and ever-evolving process to youth collections.

Evaluation:

I really appreciated the approach of the author to the topic, as she reflected on collection development as a cyclical process and she developed guidelines around that principle as a result. It allows librarians to adopt a more open-minded framework in their development of collections. For youth services in particular, this principle continues to grow in importance given the ever-changing trends in technology and the diverse needs of youth. Being advocates for youth then, as she explained, it is important that we as librarians also stipulate collection development policies to explain the mission and goals of the collection as to successfully navigate the concerns of adult stakeholders (e.g., parents) and still meet the needs of youth.

Re-examining the role of public libraries

Lara, Veronica

Garmer, Amy K. (2014) Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries. Washington DC: The Aspen Institute. 66p.

The Aspen Institute is an organization that creates a platform by which groups or communities can discuss ideas regarding various programs, promote leadership, and take action for the betterment of society.

The Aspen Institute published its report, Rising to the Challenge, in 2014 in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  This report was the result of a study aimed at determining the need for public libraries to re-envision their role in the communities they serve.  It is clear that libraries are a vital information resource.  In many cases, public libraries are communities’ only opportunity to gain access to resources, especially those online.  

The first half of this report focused on the significant changes to the way information is created and gathered.  Overwhelmingly, the shift has been significantly digital.  However, many communities (ie. learning communities) find it difficult to keep up with technology literacy or find access to online tools.  According to the University of Maryland Information Policy and Access Center, “62% of public libraries are the only source of free Internet in the community” (qtd. in Garmer, 2014, p. 16).  With this in mind, what do public libraries need to do to provide resources for their community? Public libraries should be thinking about how their new technologies are helping people connect to and use the digital resources they need.  New technologies such as free video conferencing and audiovisual editing commons are being added to more and more public libraries (p. 25).  These technologies can be used to create a connected, educated, participatory community. 

The report then goes on to discuss strategies by which public libraries can meet the technological needs of its community.  The author lays out 4 guidelines the library should strive for.  First, library services should match the goals of the community.  The library should be built around the patrons’ desires and needs.  Libraries should be reaching out to these communities to assess their needs and act accordingly.  Second, libraries should be endeavoring to diversify content format.  Information searching is rarely done in print anymore.  E-books, online journals, and other digital content should be provided to users.  Broadband access is no longer a luxury; Internet connection is integral to the success of a communities citizens.  From online classes to online job searches, the people need to be connected.  Third, libraries must procure a sustainable source of funding to ensure their longevity.  The study shows that state and federal funding accounts for only about 8% of a library’s funding.  All other funding comes from various sources in the local community.  In that case, libraries should actively be seeking business partnerships to not only maintain the services they currently offer, but to plan for growing and improving resources and services.  Finally, libraries should cultivate leadership by actively collaborating with the community.  The community members should be driving content and services within the library.  To do that, they must have a voice that can demand that their needs be met. 

Thinking of a re-envisioned library like this is inspiring.  The idea that libraries will no longer be “information silos” is one that gives me hope for the future of libraries.  As a library student, I have heard many people express concern about the current landscape of information science.  This is not a “bad time” to be getting into libraries; this is the best time.

An electronic version of the report can be found here.

Integrating Unique Collections and Undergraduate Research

Christina Perris
INFO 266
Fall 2015

Integrating Unique Collections and Undergraduate Research

Cook, M. (2015). Build it and they will come: Integrating unique collections and undergraduate research. Collection Building, 34(4), 128-133. doi:10.1108/CB-06-2015-0010

This article presents an in-practice model for the “build it and they will come approach” proposition that has been employed in the special collections department at California State University, Channel Islands.  The article presents three case studies that exhibit ways the collections have been uniquely harnessed by California State University, Channel Island’s students through their research, both through in-class and independent study projects.  In one case study, the students’ research harnesses the information in a way that actually served to market and promote collections unique to the repository.  The second case study focuses on how a unique archival collection utilized as an assignment worked out as the foundation for an assignment for a significant graduation requirement.  The final case study focuses specifically on how collection management can have an impact on other library efforts such as reference, outreach and information literacy.

It is great for an article of this nature to be published as it clearly illustrates to administrators and faculty that special collections departments can serve as active, vital core elements of the curriculum.  It is all-too-common for special collections and archives to be ascribed the “ivory tower” image of being special realms reserved, literally, for the “academically venerated”: some still close off access to their collections to readers unless they hold a minimum academic degree, usually ABD (all but dissertation, or nearly PhD’s).

 

 

 

We will Survive

Wilson, Shibrie

American Library Association. (2013). Social Networking: Technology marches on, and so do libraries. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/news/state-americas-libraries-report-2013/social-networking

Libraries fear that due to increase of social media that they may not be able to compete with rapid changes. ALA disagrees and says that libraries will be able to do so considering librarians have been the trailblazers for technology leaders for decades. Essentially in order to so libraries must learn their community and find out what technology works best for them. We are service providers and providing good service to patrons is ultimate goal. Studies found that the library will not go anywhere anytime soon simply being that it is essence of community. Trial and error and learning what technology and social networking best fits needs of patrons in your community. During such time it is important to engage patrons at young age so that they will become lifelong users of library and understand its importance to community. 

Opinion:
There is a common theme in most articles geared to library services and that is knowing your community. Gaining knowledge and understanding of what methods of technology and social media your community uses and interested in using. Libraries will survive but it is up to the libraries themselves to continue to evolve along with technology. 

Unusual Collections: Oddities and Necessities

Bailey, Rachel

Tomka, Pam. (2014) Unusual Collections: Oddities and Necessities. ILA Reporter, Aug, 4-7.

Summary: This article gives examples of libraries that provide unusual collections and services to their patrons. Examples include cake pans, Halloween costumes, toys and even fishing poles!

Evaluation: I think this is a great idea, but wonder how some libraries could afford this service. An early-childhood center in my community lets parents check out toys from them. The problem is, they use a very loose system and have a hard time keeping the toys in tact. This would be a great service for the libraries in my community to use since there are a lot of young children that frequent the library.