Dominique Burns e-Portfolio

Introduction

A library collection consists of many different objects organized in the library’s physical and digital spaces. These collections can include, books, eBooks, videos, technology, artifacts, music, and the list goes on. According to Johnson (2009), a library’s collection should meet “The appropriate needs of its client population,” while keeping their collections current and accessible to all.  (p. 2). The process of maintaining and developing a collection requires librarians to establish a strong collection development policy that aligns with the library’s mission and goals. A well-made collection development policy also helps to determine which items are relevant in relation to the information needs of their specific community (American Library Association, 1981). Librarians are responsible for creating collection development policies that are unique to their communities and include clear criteria for selection, evaluation, organization, and preservation of physical and digital items.

 

Selection

Librarians often act as collection managers and developers.  Collection management includes “Information gathering, communication, coordination, policy formulation, evaluation, and planning” (Johnson, 2009, 2). This means taking into account community information needs, library budgets, goals, and objectives. The primary responsibility of collection management is “Determining policy and priorities for the collection” (Disher, 2014, p. 3).  Collection developers than use “These priorities to identify a focus audience” and “Build the library’s collection in a way that supports the organizations’ mission and stays true to the tenets of what a true collection is” (Disher, 2014, p. 3). Collection development is in essence the “Process of systematically building library collections to serve study, teaching, research, recreational, and other needs of library users” (Johnson, 2009, 2). Collection developers make sure the items selected meet the criteria set forth by the library.

 

 When selecting materials for a collection it is important that librarians ask themselves the following questions.

 

• Should I provide the actual item, or is providing a means of access to that item enough?

• Should I have it here at my library, or is having it available at the main library sufficient?

• What is the best format for items in my collection?

• What is collection diversity and how can I achieve it? (Disher, 2014, pp. 3-5).

 

These questions help librarians develop collections that are relevant to the community they serve. Librarians often have to consider both the library’s digital and physical spaces when selecting collection materials. One example of this is deciding whether to include physical audio books in the library or to provide them digitally to patrons. Another example is collection diversity. Librarians must maintain a collection that meets community information needs and at the same time avoids “Social, political, religious, and, and sexual biases” (Disher, 2014, p.5). Librarians must also recognize community “Needs, wants, and demands” when selecting materials (Disher, 2014, p.6). This means recognizing the difference between things the community can and can’t operate with out. “Needs” are things humans need to exist, such as water (Disher, 2014, p.6). While milk or juice may be a “want,” but are not necessarily dire. In relation to collection development an individual may need information on “How to fix a car,” but “Want to pay a mechanic to fix it instead” (Disher, 2014, p.6). While demand is “Something a person or group wants and is willing to act cooperatively to obtain, perhaps by voting, picketing, letter writing, phone calls, or testifying” (Disher, 2014, p.5). It is essential that collection developers don’t guess what a “community need” is, but rather “Identify a need that is both wanted and demanded” (Disher, 2014, p.6). Collection developers will then be able to select physical and digital materials that are more relevant and valuable to the community.

 

Evaluation

Evaluating a library’s collection is a fundamental part to collection development. Libraries should often evaluate their collections in order weed out-of-date materials or damaged items. This includes evaluating materials in the physical space of the library and online materials in the library’s digital spaces. Collection evaluations help librarians to see what items are circulated the most and where to spend money on the collection.  Librarians can generate reports through their databases, catalogs, and any other systems they use to checkout print and digital materials. Librarians can also send out questionnaires and surveys to their patrons in order to evaluate information needs and interest in the current collection.

 

Organization

Most libraries organize their collections through the Dewey Decimal Classification System and the Library of Congress Classification System.  Both systems organize information in the library by subject in order to make information seeking easier on the patron.  Collection development is not just selecting and evaluating materials, but also organizing those materials in a way that is user friendly to the patron. Many libraries today have adopted the bookstore model, which focuses on providing information seekers access to “Materials by means of the seeker’s own vocabulary” (Winget & Aspray, 2011, p.125). The bookstore model includes lots of signage and well-maintained displays that are visually appealing. In the digital realm this could be a well organized and visually appealing website with clear links for accessing digital materials.  Digital organization is more common as librarians create LibGuides and Pathfinders, which help patrons navigate online collections and sets of information. 

 

Preservation

Preservation of physical and digital assets in the library should be a priority for every librarian. Preservation is defined as “The steps taken to ensure the long-term accessibility and usability of content – including (but not restricted to) activities that prevent content from deteriorating” (Hirsh, 2015, p. 406). Library materials cost money and in order to make the most of that money spent, it is in the best interest of the library to make those materials last. This means updating technology, checking for broken links on the website, dusting shelves, wiping books down, putting covers on paperback books, organizing materials, maintaining a collection friendly room temperature, repairs, and so on. Besides taking care of the collection, librarians must create disaster preparedness plans that take into account natural disasters.  These plans account for weather related issues that could destroy the collection and cost the library thousands of dollars.  A disaster preparedness plan will cover what to do in a disaster and how to handle the collection afterwards.

 

 

Evidence

The following evidence includes MLIS coursework that I have completed during my time at San Jose State University.

 

1. INFO 266 Collection Management: Selection Paper

2. INFO 266 Collection Management: Community and Collection Evaluation

3. INFO 266 Collection Management: Final Paper: Goodbye Dewey Decimal, Hello Genre Shelving

4. INFO 266 Collection Management: Group Project: Visual Critique & Collection Audit

5. INFO 281 Seminar in Contemporary Issues – Graphic Novels (Adult/Teen): Your Public Library Graphic Novel Collection

6. INFO 265 Materials for Young Adults: Young Adult Mini-Collection Project

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INFO 266 Collection Management: Selection Paper

 

Evidence:

• Selection Paper

 

This assignment required me to select materials for a collection at San Jose Public Library, West Valley Branch. I had a pretend budget of $750.00 dollars to spend per month on the collection. I first researched the community’s demographics and interests before selecting items for the collection. I then choose materials I thought would be relevant to the information needs of the community. I researched best sellers and new books through Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal for this assignment.

 

INFO 266 Collection Management: Community and Collection Evaluation

 

Evidence:

• Community and Collection Evaluation

 

This assignment required me to evaluate a school library through research. I choose to research Prospect Ridge Academy’s school library. I researched the school’s demographics to better understand their clientele. I also evaluated the school library’s collection to learn more about the types of services they offer. This assignment gave me a stronger understanding of how school libraries operate.

 

INFO 266 Collection Management: Final Paper: Goodbye Dewey Decimal, Hello Genre Shelving

 

Evidence:

• Final Paper: Goodbye Dewey Decimal, Hello Genre Shelving

 

This final paper was an argumentative essay that required me to take a stance on an issue related to collection management. I made an argumentative case to get rid of the Dewey Decimal System in libraries and implement the bookstore model of genre shelving. This paper included academic sources to support my argument.    

 

 

INFO 266 Collection Management: Group Project: Visual Critique & Collection Audit

 

Evidence:

• Group Project: Visual Critique & Collection Audit

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLNaKLtuwKA&list=PLZlaVD6h0zDbEFy68y3esauNhQUf3Z7Ym&index=8

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This project required me to work with other classmates in order to make a case for a library’s funding needs. We presented our requests and research to Professor Disher, a pretend investor. As a group we created a visual critique and audit of multiple school library collections.  Our group focused on libraries in our individual areas and created a pretend school system. We evaluated and discussed problems with each library through photos and research during the presentation. Then we analyzed the collection and looked at management decisions, efficiency, patron access, and collection effectiveness. Based off of our research we created a plan, which include recommendations for fixing the collection and requests for funding. We included short-term and long-term plans for evaluation, selection, organization, and preservation of materials. After our presentation, our pretend investor Professor Disher asked questions about the collection and funding. Our group was able to successfully convince him to fund all of our requests for improving the collection and the libraries in our pretend school system.

 

INFO 281 Seminar in Contemporary Issues – Graphic Novels (Adult/Teen): Your Public Library Graphic Novel Collection

 

Evidence:

• Your Public Library Graphic Novel Collection

 

I evaluated and assessed a graphic novel collection at a local library. I discussed the selection of materials and how they were organized. My assessment looked at how the graphic novels were organized, such as age group, Dewey decimal, medium and/or genre. I also checked if the collection included graphic novels from Professor Pershing’s (2016) Core Collection List.

 

 

INFO 265 Materials for Young Adults: Young Adult Mini-Collection Project

 

Evidence:

• Young Adult Mini-Collection Project Blog

http://dominiqueburns.wixsite.com/yaminicollection

 

This semester long project required me to create a Young Adult (YA) Materials Mini-Collection blog. I researched and selected 35 items that I believed should be apart of every YA collection. The age group for this young adult collection was 15-18 years old. This blog included fiction and non-fiction books, adult crossovers, games, subscription databases, magazines, CDs, and movies.  Each item I choose included bibliographic information, plot summary, critical evaluation, reader’s annotation, author information, genre, curriculum ties, book talking ideas, reading level, interest age, challenge issues, challenge issue resources, and an explanation of why I choose the item.

 

Conclusion

The evidence I provided above showcases my skills and comprehension of collection management and development. I feel that I have a strong understanding of the selection process, as well as evaluating, organization, and preserving physical and digital assets in the library.  I have selected materials for all age groups and backgrounds in academic, public, and school libraries. I have evaluated those selections and created strategic plans for those collections.  

 

References

American Library Association. (1981). Evaluating library collections: An interpretation of the library bill of rights.  

    Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?

    Section=interpretations&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=8537

 

Disher, W. (2014). Crash course in collection development. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.

 

Hirsh, S. (2015). Information services today. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

 

Johnson, P. (2009). Fundamentals of collection development management. United States of America: American

    Library Association.

 

Winget, M.A., & Aspray, W. (2011). Digital media: Technological and social challenges of the interactive world.

    United Kingdom: Scarecrow Press.

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