Berkeley library director Jeff Scott was not a ‘good fit’

Dinkelspiel, F. (2015, September 4). Berkeley library director Jeff Scott was not a ‘good fit’. Berkeleyside. Retrieved from http://www.berkeleyside.com/2015/09/04/berkeley-library-director-jeff-scott-was-not-a-good-fit/

Summary:

 This article details the events surrounding the resignation of the Berkley Public Library director after concerns about his leadership and policies caused frustration with the community. The controversy discussed in this article was over weeding of the print collection at Berkley Public Library. The library director changed weeding policies and pared down the process in which books are weeded. He weeded approximately 35,000 books from the collection and changed the process from having 35 librarians involved in the weeding process to only having two librarians. This upset the staff and community members because they felt the process moved too quickly and that many quality books were being weeding. The community members were also upset by what was being done with the books when they were withdrawn from the collection. The community members feared many of the books were being recycled instead of donated to organizations such as Friends of the Library. The Berkley Public Library Foundation board met with the director and determined he was right for their community. 

Evaluation:

This article brings attention the importance of having policies in place that are accessible to the public. This director was not in touch with his community's needs and by streamlining the process of weeding without involving his staff in the communication caused frustration. This controversy could have been avoided by involving board members, community members, and staff in the development of weeding policies. Laying out a clear and open policy about the weeding process would have avoided protest from the Berkley community. 

Recordkeeping in Book Form: The Legacy of American Colonial Recordkeeping

Zatko, Ruzena

Zhang, J. (2014). Recordkeeping in Book Form: The Legacy of American Colonial Recordkeeping. Information & Culture, 49(4), 469-491.

 

Summary

 

In this study, what is being looked at is the history of recordkeeping, preservation, and retrieval systems. The inspiration to coding actually came from the Native Americans, who wore different color beads and each of them had a different meaning. Some of the bead collecting was to help them remember and to categorize. The colonial times did not have a recordkeeping system adopted yet and there is a lack of evidence on what their process was. But to get to the root of how recordkeeping formed, four samples were taken dating back to the 1600s and the practices were analyzed.

 

Evaluation

 

Due to this being a historic research, there is only the evidence that was preserved that can be used to support any claims with the origins of research. This also demonstrates because of improper recordkeeping practices or lack there of, we don't have the information we could have possibly had if those practices were in play. Clearly, everything must start somewhere. In this case dating back to the 1600s is impressive enough. Overall, this is a great paper, highly informative of the history of record keeping and its legacy.

A Holistic Approach to Supporting Academic Libraries in Resource Allocation Processes

Zatko, Ruzena

 

Siguenza-Guzman, L., Van den Abbeele, A., et al. (2015). A holistic approach to supporting academic libraries in resource allocation processes. The Library Quarterly: Information, Community, Policy, 85(3), 295-318. doi: 10.1086/681612

 

 

Summary

 

In this article, we see what harsh reality the library can be faced with when the budget gets cut. In these situations its imperative to obtain grants, donations, etc. With the digital collection and demand for eBooks on the rise, it is becoming even more expensive to have an impressive variety available for patrons. Having a theoretically budget plan is a great start. With the use of LibQual the library can also be aware of what patrons think of the library and what needs improvement. Overall, this paper cover a broad range of topics in operating a successful academic library. It also suggests a qualitative method of measuring the collection, budget, and other data.

 

 

 

Evaluation

 

The great point in this article that although the library is 'free', the material costs money. If a budget is cut or lost, the library hasn't a fund to upkeep itself. There was a suggestion made using a qualitative method in order to measure how the library is doing. With the proper statistics the library can make a sound decision on how to proceed in numerous scenarios'. The article expresses the importance of  constantly evaluating and analyzing the collection and library itself, to see how its doing and what needs to be weeded. This is especially important in case there are budget cuts and the library needs to endure setbacks.

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.

 

 

 

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

To Weed or Not to Weed ?

Shameem Nilofar Maideen

Ford, D.B. (2015). To Weed or Not to Weed. School Library Journal, 61(8), 13.

Summary:

The article focuses on collection development for nonfiction library materials. The author explores the Texas State Library and Archive Commission's "CREW Method" (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) and provides a list of criteria for determining if a book should be kept or thrown out titled "MUSTIE," which includes tossing items that are misleading, trivial, or have been superseded by a new edition.

Devised by the Texas State Library and Archive Commission, the CREW (Continuous Review, Evaluation, & Weeding) Method* involves evaluating books by year of copyright, last use, and condition. All are factors that must be considered when weeding the library’s collection.

In addition, MUSTIE is a list of criteria that helps to determine whether a particular title should stay or go.

• Begin with collection analysis. Most circulation systems and many vendors offer an analysis component. Evaluate the results by identifying your collection’s weakest areas.

• Target key Dewey ranges. Areas such as technology, social problems, and the sciences (especially health and astronomy) become quickly outdated.

• Weed the worst. Start by discarding the oldest nonfiction material. Make room on your shelves by tossing books with outdated covers and yellow pages.

• Use your senses. Follow your nose. Books that smell musty or are moldy must be discarded to maintain the health of the entire collection. Look at a book’s condition. Are the pages falling out? Time to toss.

• Enlist your colleagues. Host a weeding party and assign partners to sections that need attention. Give them bottom-line criteria: “books more than 20 years old must go,” for example. Teams can discuss individual titles and put them aside for your final say.

• Fill the gaps. If you target key areas for weeding, be sure to create wish lists for those sections. Deleting a book about Pluto? Add a new one to your list.

• Ask the experts. National organizations—beyond the American Library Association—choose the best nonfiction titles in their subject areas. The National Council of Social Studies and the National Science Teachers Association, for example, both create annual Notable Trade Book lists for K-12. You might also ask your subject area specialists to help you weed and shop for replacement titles.

• Judge for yourself. The latest award-winning nonfiction titles incorporate many features that support the Common Core State Standards. Look for the same features in the books on your shelves. Is there a bibliography? A glossary? What are the writer’s qualifications? What websites support the text? Are the graphics appealing and informative? The same criteria applies to gifts. Ask yourself: Is this material shelf worthy? If not, discard, recycle, or add it to your book sale box.

In short, no matter the size of your budget, it’s better to have no information than misinformation. Discard books that are no longer accurate. Delete worn materials. Free up space in your media collection for fresh, current resources. As the “guardian” of your library’s collection, it’s your responsibility to ensure that what you own is worth protecting.

Effective Selectors? Interlibrary Loan Patrons as Monograph Purchasers: A Comparative Examination of Price and Circulation-Related Performance

Zatko, Ruzena

Tyler, D. C., Melvin, J. C., Yang, X., Epp, M., & Kreps, A. M. (2011). Effective Selectors? Interlibrary Loan Patrons as Monograph Purchasers: A Comparative Examination of Price and Circulation-Related Performance. Journal Of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery & Electronic Reserves, 21(1/2), 57-90. doi:10.1080/1072303X.2011.557322

 

 

Summary

 

In this research paper, what is discussed is the shipping and handling that must be factored in with acquisitions. Amazon tends to be the most cost-effective avenue, however it cannot always be used depending on what it is the collection needs to add. The study collects data from University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL) to determine how much is being spend by various methods in obtaining material.

 

 

Evaluation

 

This paper, was a great find because it covers the shipping costs which typically aren't mentioned. However, some limitations to the study was the data could not be automatically collected, therefore the stats are limited. Also, with the costs collected, some things such as staff cost, shipping and handling, etc. is inaccurate. Also, what needs to be factored is that although Amazon keeps costs low, sometimes material must be rushed and that is why the shipping may be higher.