Bulletin Description: A study of methods and techniques for the development of a collection policy and practice to meet the needs of diverse user groups. The course includes collection policy development, censorship, methodology of user group identification, standards, budget allocations, selection, media and weeding.
Detailed Description: In the 21st century, library collection development practice is shifting from an ‘ownership’ to an ‘access’ model. Libraries can no longer support large collections of print books or materials amassed ‘just in case’ a library patron may need or want them. In a research and information environment that is defined more by Google than the academy, in a book industry and marketplace that is dominated more by Amazon than by ‘legacy’ library vendors and the local independent bookshop or neighborhood library branch, collection development librarians must learn how to approach the ‘just in time’ model of collection development. Collection development librarians must now determine which tasks actually are necessary and which add real value to our customers’ library experience. Collection development librarians are also increasingly called upon to identify and provide access to materials in other institutions or to deliver electronic content that is not owned (but rather licensed) by their own library or through a consortium. The course includes policy development, intellectual freedom and collections, methodologies for community and collection needs assessment, budget allocation, selection and de-selection (weeding) methodologies for a variety of formats, the use of vendor products/tools for collection development, best practices for managing vendor relationships, budgeting and cost benefit analysis, collection management and security concerns, storage, selecting and evaluating e-content, document delivery, interlibrary loan and resource sharing.
Course Goals: Upon completion of this course, each student will understand the various levels of collection development, the formulation and writing of a collection development policy, and the role and management of a library collection as it relates to the overall functioning of a library (by type). Each student will be able to define, describe, critically analyze, and evaluate
Trends in national and international publishing industries.
Technology in the service of collection development and access to content.
Intellectual Freedom principles and their role in development and delivery of collections/content to users.
The content, and formulation of collection development policies and/or plans for various types of institutions.
Financial management and budget development in collection development.
How to identify the ‘right’ vendor and manage vendor relationships and contracts.
Acquisition methods, procedures and best practices (including selection and acquisitions strategies appropriate to various types of materials and libraries).
Selection, licensing/purchasing, and on-going evaluation of electronic content. Methods of print collection evaluation
Cloud-based collection development tools (including vendor-specific tools).
The role of gifts and exchange in collection building.
Collection evaluation, de-selection (weeding) functions, and formulation of sustainable de-selection policies.
Securing the collection, access, storage, largesse, and sales of library discards.
Cooperation and resource sharing in collection building
Access services: circulation, interlibrary loan, and document delivery
Student Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course, students will be able to
Understand and articulate Intellectual Freedom concepts as they apply to selection and collection management policies and activities in libraries (by type).
Create a full, professional level, materials selection policy that incorporates the principles of intellectual freedom, reflects specific community needs, and reflects library organization and governance.
Research specific collection development topics or trends and create and deliver a ‘professional association’ level panel presentation (visuals, bibliography, handout, etc.) or write a paper.
Develop professional and personal strategies to stay abreast of collection development topics and trends; analyze trends and best practices and apply them to course assignments and integrate them into class discussion.
Coursework:
Reading Reports (4)
Collection Development Policy
Final Paper