Collection Development in California Indian Tribal Libraries

Buentello,Ruby

Peterson, E. (2004). Collection development in California Indian tribal libraries. Collection Building, 23(3), 129-132.https://doi.org/10.1108/01604950410544665 

Summary: This article bring attention to the issue of how tribal libraries are often not seen as “real” libraries and so they do not receive the support of many state resources and funds, which in turn affects their collection and ability to grow. The author shared her experience and tips on how she helped a California tribe develop and build up their library collection. After completing a needs assessment, Peterson, focused on developing a collection focused on resources specifically about that tribe and a general collection of Native American history to help create that sense of community in the library. She goes into further detail about the subject areas she purchased materials in, ranging from children’s books to activism and spirituality. She includes publishers, distributors, bibliographies, reference books, and online databases to name a few, that cater to Native American culture and history. She explained how she created a small “starter” collection and provided information on how to continue to grow the collection and aim to expand as long as their budget allows.

Evaluation: This was a great overview of how to approach tribal library collections and provided a great amount of resources for the Native American community and California tribes. It brings to front, the existences of tribal libraries and their struggles in getting funds to remain open to provide a space for community but also, the resources for the youth to grow into leaders. Tribal libraries should be views as public libraries and have the same access to resources as the rest of the public libraries do because they are working towards the same goal. Having a background in Native American studies, the topic of tribal libraries is interesting to me and it comes to no surprise that there is not much in the literature about tribal libraries or tribal library collection development.

How to destroy special collections with social media in 3 easy steps: A guide for researchers and librarians.

Leslie Fox
INFO 266

Werner, S. (July 31, 2015). How to destroy special collections with social media in 3 easy steps: A guide for researchers and librarians. Wynken de Worde. Retrieved from: http://sarahwerner.net/blog/2015/07/how-to-destroy-special-collections-with-social-media/


In her blog, Wynken de Worde, Sarah Werner posts her notes, amazing slides, and audio form her talk given at Rare Book School. She argues that while many Special Collections libraries are reaching out to users with social media, there are many ways this can go wrong, frustrate users and send them away. She uses humor to give examples of how keeping images locked up tight, treating everything as a joke or pretty picture and by relying too heavily on analytics for engagement by users can send researchers away and undermine the purpose of special collections.

The author then points out ways that social media can be used without damaging your special collection or stifling research and perpetuating misunderstandings. Werner asserts that special collections can grow using social media if you digitize with open access licenses; teach your audience to think about the past rather than laughing at it, and choose your aims carefully. Don't confuse popularity with engagement.

This presentation uses humor to engage the reader, but it is the detail and professionalism in the images presented as examples that I took special note of. A helpful resource for any special collections library wanting to utilize social media.

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).

 

 

 

Ramos, Kristan

INFO 266

Fall 2015

USDA Government Organizations are Providing Online Intellectual Freedom

 

Blake, P., Frierson, E., Gardner, M., & McCarthy, S.(2003) Collaborative development of     

agricultural information services at the National Agricultural Library of the United States, Science & Technology Libraries, 24(1-2), pages 5-20, DOI: 10.1300/J122v24n01_02

 

“Information service delivery systems must be effective and efficient in meeting customer demands for more resources in a timely manner regardless of the origin of publication. NAL has continued a longstanding tradition, forming broad-based national and international alliances that include stake holders in the federal, United Nations, academic, profit, and non-profit sectors. Collaborative partnerships such as Invasivespecies.gov, Science.gov, AgNIC, and the digital preservation initiatives ensure the free flow of information to present and future generations.” (Blake, Frierson, Gardner & MaCarthy, 2003)

This article from 2003 is a great representation of how our country’s government-supported and regulated USDA and National Agricultural Library are working, and have been working together, for some time now with collaborative efforts to provide global informational access. Who knew our country was so internationally involved to be able to provide global access with partnered organizations. The collaborative efforts are ongoing online collection development through a formed alliance group since 1995 known as AgNIC.  

Ramos, Kristan

INFO 266

Fall 2015

 

Expanding Collections through Usage

 

In our INFO 266 Collection Development Text, (Wimberly, L., Loertscher, D., and Crompton, M. 2014) Collection Development Using the Collection Mapping Technique, chapter 21 “Making the Collection Accessible” provides insight about how to make a collection more accessible. We ask the questions, why is full access important and how can the general public gain access? Full access is the push toward intellectual freedom, a luxury that not everyone in the world gets to experience. Although we as a library community are pushing forward, policy restrictions can still prevent full access or any access depending on the library collection. Gaining access is a process that takes time and initiative by the general public.

This chapter gives a small glimpse into recognizing how some organizations are working together to help create full access and providing global communication through intellectual freedom.

KARR, J. (2015). A CATALOG OF THE ADDENDA TO THE RICASOLI COLLECTION HOUSED AT THE DWIGHT ANDERSON MUSIC LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE. Notes, 72(1), 23-75.

 

Summary

 

This paper discusses the Ricasoli collection, which is the largest collection of Tuscan sacred music and concertos in the world (Karr, 2015). The collection was purchased in 1987 and through the help of donations the library was able turn this into the collection it is today. The full catalogue is displayed in the paper and its helpful in seeing how the items are organized. There are many pieces that are anonymous that still remain a mystery to whom the owner is. 

 

Evaluation

 

This collection identifies all the pieces available for patrons at University of Louisville, pertaining to the Ricasoli collection. Its thorough and it gives the entirety of index. Looking this over, it would be helpful with Vocabulary design and exposure to the Library of Congress catalogue structure. Also, it is impressive how this collection came to be and the history on how it was made possible.

 

 

 

The Career Path, Education, and Activities of Academic Law Library Directors Revisited Twenty-Five Years Later

Zatko, Ruzena 

Slinger, M. J., & Slinger, S. C. (2015). The Career Path, Education, and Activities of Academic Law

 

       Library Directors Revisited Twenty-Five Years Later. Law Library Journal, 107(2), 175-223.

 

     

 

Summary

     This research paper, written by a novice Law Librarian a 25 years back, takes a look at how one goes about becoming a Law Library Director. and his proposal for future Law Librarians. Back then it was required by law that the Director had to hold both a Master's or better in LIS and a Juris Doctor degree. However, since this is reflection it discloses that as of 2014/2015 criteria this no longer applies. The research also points to whether one chose to be a librarian first and then get exposed to the legal side or vice versa.

 

 

 

 

Evaluation:

     The research overall is informative on different paths that a person may obtain to reach their goal as a Law Library Director. Different scenarios are put into perspective such as obtaining a JD degree and then the LIS degree and vice versa. Interestingly, more often a Law Library Director comes from a Public Service background. Although, there is a lot of data on how much schooling, experience, demographics etc. make up the large percent of Law Directors, there aren't exact numbers stated to know what the percentages are made up of. In all, this research paper demonstrated the evolution of promotion in the Law Library. There have been many changes since the original research was conducted.

 

Legal research and law library management

Rowland, Sarah

Marke, J., & Sloane, R. (1982). Collection Development. In Legal research and law library management. New York: Law Journal Seminars-Press, 132.

Summary: This is a looseleaf and the one I looked at was last updated in 2006. I read chapter 2 which was a nice overview of what collection development is along with specifics dealing with an Academic Law Library, County Law Library or Law Firm Law Library. The chapter right away tells you how laying out collection development policy can help, “Every library is unique, yet al library collections benefit when they grow in a thoughtful manner following guidelines set forth in a formal collection development policy (p. 2-5). It gives information on what to include in a collection development policy such as the mission, overview of the collection, selection guidelines, retention and weeding procedures. I liked that it gave examples from other law libraries along with giving specific references to other collection development tools to help develop a law libraries collection. It also had a section on acquisitions policy and things to consider such as need, cost, quality, duplication, currentness and availability.

Evaluation: The chapter of this book really helped me throughout the semester because I wasn’t only an academic library I was also a special academic library with a focus on law and having no background in law. However, I feel like it was laid out in a way that even with no background in law it gave me a great understanding on what a typical law library should look like. One example is that I noticed I didn’t have anything dealing with intellectual freedom in our collection development policy whereas other academic library did. The authors let me know that this is typical for law libraries to overlook having one even though they should. I would highly recommend anybody who finds they are working in a law library to especially check out the chapter of the book for a nice overview. It really helped me feel less lost during the semester when I had a question specifically about law libraries. I’m hoping the rest of the book is this useful.