Quality Multicultural Materials

This article discussed the importance of having multicultural materials in every library collection, and what Lincoln, Nebraska did to ensure that they purchased quality titles for their students. The endeavor is titled Mosaic, Multicultural Book Collection and it started out as a small book exhibit and has evolved over the years to remain relevant with new and improved technology. The first major change incorporated QR codes attached to titles that link to book trailers or “snippets of historical videos in hopes of igniting interest and expanding learning.”  Multicultural makerspace materials, audio files of music from all over the world, and virtual reality headsets were also included. The project then further developed to be a virtual display so that anyone can access it at any time: https://lms.lps.libguides.com/MOSAIC2018    The project is committed to using materials that are high quality and do not confirm negative stereotypes. Haeffner & Harvey outline the process of how materials are chosen “many hours of research and consideration are involved in the review process to ensure that titles do not perpetuate stereotypes or misinformation” (p. 19). I love the idea of this resource and can’t wait to use it in my own school library and share it with my colleagues. 

References

Haeffner, C., & Harvey, J. (2019). Mosaic: One district's approach to maximizing use of multicultural collections. Teacher Librarian, 47(1), 18-21. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lls&AN=140246715&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Accessed March 14, 2020.

The Importance of Databases

This was a great article on collection development that focuses on databases and the essential role they serve in a school library. The article states “databases provide learners with a one stop shop for cross-curricular, up-to-date, vetted information in a structured and easy to manipulate format for class projects” (Ivory & Viens, 2019)  The article discusses the importance of collaboration with classroom teachers and the public library when it comes to choosing databases, “collaboration with teachers on their recurring research projects is a critical factor in determining which databases we purchase each year” (Ivory & Viens, 2019). When classroom teachers share their curriculum, the library teacher can subscribe to corresponding databases that will give students access to the information they will need in their courses. The articles also notes the importance of collaboration with the public library so that efforts are not duplicated, and funds can be spent on databases the public library does not carry. The article also gives useful suggestions such as making a bookmark with the various databases and passwords so that kids can access the databases outside of the school. The article also recommends schools purchase a domain license for $12.99 per year and then create a link with an easy to remember name such as “databases.colganlibrary.com” that goes directly to the databases which saves users from having to go through several pages before locating the databases. 

References

Ivory, A. I., & Viens, L. (2019). Databases, collection development, and student learning. Knowledge Quest, 48(2), 16-23. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lls&AN=139376352&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

"Juvenile collection in an academic library"

   Liebau-Nelsen, Catherine

Shipman, T., Schmidt, G., & Bannon, S. (2013). Juvenile collection in an academic library. In Holder, S. (Ed.), Library collection development for professional programs: Trends and best practices (209-228). Hershey, Pa.: Information Science Reference.

Juvenile collections in academic libraries have various purposes and are placed in different positions throughout the library. While some may have their own collection development policies, others will fall under the umbrella CDP of the academic library. Some may have children's access policies and other will not. Some will have their own sections in the library and others won't. The type of juvenile collection and how it is treated within the academic library depend on the library, the collection itself, and the needs that it meets for its patrons; each should be treated as an individual collection that should not be restricted by others like it (which is the main purpose of the chapter). While there are variations of all sorts among juvenile collections in academic libraries, there are some aspects that they mostly have in common: the purpose for these collections will probably be to support education learning or as a source of study for social sciences. One thing is for certain: juvenile collections have become increasingly more important because of the level of importance that western culture has placed upon literature. The chapter discusses the different factors (such as age and genre), different forms (such as print and audiobooks), and ways to find good resources for acquisition (such as awards and book lists).

This chapter was extremely interesting to me because I studied a children's and young adult collection this semester for all of the projects. There were many things that I recognized from the article that I learned throughout the semester while studying the collection, so it was (in a way) validating to realize how much I learned from a collection that is (in many ways) sub par. The chapter includes many lists that both help and hinder the reading experience; they were clearly written, but it was difficult not to skip to the next bullet point because of its form. Still, for as long as it was, the chapter was written in a way that made sense sequentially. Out of all of the readings from this semester, I found this the most relevant to my research and the most interesting in general.

Open Access and the Future of Art Scholarship

Watkins, Alexander (2015). “Open access and the future of art scholarship.” Art Libraries Journal, 40(4), pp. 4-7. 

This article points to how art scholarship is falling behind when it comes to taking it part open access initiatives, as opposed to other fields of research (i.e., medical). Watkins points to “persuasive arguments” promoted by the medical research field to push for more open access, mainly the high cost of medical journals and the fact that a large portion of medical research is publicly funded (which is in contrast to art scholarship). Watkins further argues that toll-access (traditional paid publication model) creates barriers between “privileged Western academics” and the rest of the world. Trends show that Western art scholarship is increasingly focusing on non-Western art. However, those very papers are unavailable in the “very cultures [those papers are] about,” limiting transcultural discourse. He points to librarians as essential in promoting open access resources in libraries, and that budgetary concerns should not be the only reason for advocacy. Watkins states, “Open access is key to creating a globally integrated community of art scholars and re-engaging the public in art discourse,” showing the importance of providing access to open resources, especially as it relates to connection development opportunities and creating more OERs that are art focused. 

Collection Development Trends in Academic Libraries

Collection Development Trends in Academic Libraries

Lopez, Liliana

Horava, T., & Levine-Clark, M. (2016). Current trends in collection development practices and policies. Collection Building, 35(4), 97-102. https://doi-org.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/10.1108/CB-09-2016-0025

The article Current Trends in Collection Development Practices and Policies by Tony Horava and Michael Levine Clark delivers the results of a study on current trends and issues in academic library collections. It provides a glimpse of major current collection trends and issues within North American academic libraries. The trends and issues in this study include: the use of collection development policies, demand driven acquisition (DDA) models, big deals, use of the collections budget, rationalizing legacy print collections, stewarding local digital collections, and demonstrating value.

The findings from this study render a deeper understanding of collection development functions within academic libraries. They show evidence that academic libraries use their collections budget to fund many costs other than content —often using funds for memberships and MARC records. Some of the other findings highlight the trend of demand-driven acquisitions (DDA) and an academic library’s willingness to support open access investments. Furthermore, collaborative print rationalization projects are not an academic library’s priority but academic libraries do tend to have at least one collaborative print rationalization project within their collection development plan. Perhaps the most inspiring practices and trends are the innovative ways in which academic libraries demonstrate their value.

Evaluation:

Overall, this article provides a platform to reflect on and compare strategies for academic library collections. It enables academic libraries to share current practices and trends — to build upon them and improve their collection development plans. However, this study is only the start of the conversation, because academic libraries have to continue developing their competitive edge to continue thriving and making the most out of their funds.

Self Censorship in Selection of LGBT-Themed Materials

Antell, K., Strothmann, M., & Downey, J. (2013). Self-censorship in selection of LGBT-themed

materials. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 53(2), 104-107.

https://doi-org.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/10.5860/rusq.53n2.104

This article by Karen Antell, Molly Strothmann, and Jennifer Downey, discusses librarian

self-censorship in regards to LGBT materials. It asks questions such as, "how do we catch

ourselves when we begin to self-censor?" "how do we prevent it?" and "Is it ever possible to

remove our own beliefs from our decision-making about our collections?" Studies have shown

that a vast majority of librarians from small and large communities, urban and rural, from red

states and blue states, lack high-quality and comprehensive LGBT collections.

The article goes on to discuss how self-censorship happens in private and is the result of a

debate that mainly takes place in your head. There are many traps described in the article such

as "it's hard to find LGBT-themed books," "these books don't circulate," "what will people say

about me?" "there aren't any (or many) LGBT people in my community," and "I don't have any

more money in my budget." Again, these traps are excuses that may disguise a librarian who is

censoring, but librarians have a responsibility to put their own fears and prejudices aside. They

need to ask themselves some tough questions and be honest with themselves. It is important

for librarians to be courageous and speak for those who may not be heard. The first place to

start would be from within.

How to Build a High-Quality Library Collection in a Multi-Format Environment: Centralized Selection at University of Wyoming Libraries.

Barstow, S., Macaulay, D., & Tharp, S. (2016). How to Build a High-Quality Library Collection in a Multi-Format Environment: Centralized Selection at University of Wyoming Libraries. Journal of Library Administration, 56(7), 790-809.

     When the new Head of Collection Development began her role at the University of Wyoming Library she began transitioning the library’s staff to a more collaborative and centralized environment for development and acquisitions.  In the wake of major changes to both departments in the digital age, it was apparent that changes were also needed to streamline workflow in both departments, improve access for the university library users, and reduce costs for both departments.  Barstow, Macaulay, & Tharp’s article details the steps the UW Library took to become more centralized while ensuring a quality, on-trend collection for the Library.   The authors state “By centralizing the selection process among a dedicated group of librarians with expertise in collection development and emerging formats, the process of building a comprehensive research collection can be carried out more effectively” (p. 806).  The UW Library found the process was not without some challenges, however.  The biggest of these challenges involved the need for detailed record keeping and communicativeness among departments and staff to reduce delays and avoid duplication of work and expenditures.  Despite these challenges, UW Library created an efficient, collaborative, and timely collection development and acquisitions process that capitalizes on the strengths of the staff and keeps the library’s collection progressing forward in a fast-paced and dynamically changing digital age. 

     This article serves as an example to other academic libraries facing similar challenges.  It provides an overview of the history and steps UW Library took to establish their centralized system as a way of providing a guide for other libraries to copy in their own institutions.