Collection Development

January 30, 2002

Topics
What is collection development? Why is collection development important? What does collection development mean to my library? What does collection development mean as a member of the consortium?

Overview
Select and purchase materials Rid your library of obsolete material Maximize time spent on collection building Examine policy Provide collegial atmosphere to discuss issues

Collection development is:

Identification Selection Acquisition Evaluation...
of a collection of library resources

Functions
Acquisitions/selection
Gifts/Donations

Weeding Preservation Intellectual Freedom

Selection
Ranganathan
Books are for use Every reader his book Every book its reader Save the time of the reader A library is a living organism

Quality vs. demand

Which statements are true?
Libraries are funded by taxpayers therefore we should provide high demand items that the public wants Libraries should provide materials that raise the cognitive level of the user (library as peoples university)

Both statements are true!

Its our job to balance between the two philosophies How do you make demand vs quality decisions in your library? Does your library mission statement address either or both philosophies?

Know your community

Patron reading levels Occupations, businesses, recreation activities in your community Socioeconomic status Mean age (average) Education level Ethnic groups

Examples please

What specific criteria do you use to better know your community?

Stay current
News Events Popular culture trends
TV, Movies, Theatre Talk radio Current best sellers Visiting artists, authors

Selection Criteria
Subject matter
What weaknesses exist in the collection? How suitable are subject, style, reading level? How accurate is the information?

Selection
Potential use
What kind of demand is there? What level of use justifies purchase? How relevant is it to my community?

Selection
Relation to the collection
How will item strengthen, fill a gap, complement the collection? Are the materials available elsewhere in the community?
What about OWLSnet?

Is there fair coverage of opposing viewpoints?

Selection
Bibliographic considerations
Reputation of the publisher Is the type of publication or format appropriate to your library? What is the reputation/significance of the author? What do book reviews say? Book club edition? Bookstore editions
Barnes and Noble?

Selection
Cost
Expense vs. worth Ranking materials for worthiness Prioritize by collection need

Selection
Construction quality
Is the item well made? What is the paper and print quality?
Examples of poor quality? Scholastic

Will it stand up to multiple uses? http://www.bmpl.lib.me.us/shame.htm

Books
Fiction
What are community interests and needs? What is library mission statement?
What is guideline for multiple copies?

How much space do I have to allocate? Should I have books from all major authors, or just some?
How do you decide? What is the impact on or in spite of the consortium?

Nonfiction
Authority of author/publisher Currency Duplication Scope Interest level Organization

Nonfiction continued
Format Special features Cost Accuracy Impartiality

Selection tools
Book reviews
descriptive and evaluative compare with other works be aware of the objectivity of the reviewer

Limitations of book reviews

length of time between publication and review small % of books actually published small presses often not reviewed many books only reviewed by one source

Booklists http://www.ala.org/booklist/ LJDigital http://libraryjournal.reviewsnews.com/ NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/index.html Oprahs list http://www.2think.org/oprah/oprah.shtml Publishers BookWire http://www.bookwire.com/ Magazines for comic reviews

http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/lml/Collections/docs/comicmag.html Best books 2001 http://sfpl4.sfpl.org/newbooks/bb2001.html

Reviews
Online bookstores
do not overlook the reviews posted at online bookstores!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ http://www.amazon.com http://www.altbookstore.com/ (search by subject)

Great info but

I dont have time to read reviews

Hints for saving time

School Library Journal, 2001 (in folder)
Dont read reviews for books you know you will order!
Look for paperbacks- cost less but weigh against use, wear and tear and processing costs Look at starred or highly rated reviews End of year lists you will purchase anyway

For NFI know your dollar amount before you start reading reviews Have your calculator at your side for totals!

Hints for saving time

Anticipate need- devote the $
Know school curriculum Types of ongoing projects (5th grade state reports, biographies)

Hints for saving time

Skim reviews
praise or criticism is usually at beginning or end zero in on age appropriateness

Go to bookstores (in your spare time!)

What is on display? If it doesn't move its gone the next week! Can this apply to your library?

Hints for saving time

Dont be swayed by each positive/negative comment Read the summary Watch the wording challenging in what sense, can be good or bad! Beware of age recommendations consider the source, not all reviewers are children's librarians!

Hints for saving time

SLJ http://slj.reviewsnews.com/

PrePub Alerts

http://libraryjournal.reviewsnews.com/index.asp?lay out=sectionsMain&verticalid=151&industry=PrePub +Alert Alan review http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/alanreview.html

Selecting AV materials
Why do we collect audiovisual stuff?
ADA requirements
Provide audio and music for sampling and listening

Provide appropriate materials to people who require graphic displays for comprehension
Provide people with access to scores, games etc to support educational pursuits How do you decide what is educational?

Selection Criteria for AV

Consider primary users
What is the available budget? Durability? Visual and audio quality? Ease of repair if damaged? Type of equipment required to view or listen? Likelihood of technology to last?

Video and DVD materials

Expensive Require machine to view Short lifespan (VHS) Easily damaged Popular for short time - much like bestsellers

Video considerations
What is the level of violence, comedy, sexual content? What is the age appropriateness? What message is conveyed by the video? Does your library act as a video store? Use your library Mission statement, philosophy of board as guidelines

Audio considerations
How does the audio collection support your library goals? Do you duplicate or supplement print titles? Does the collection focus on certain genres? Will you collect complete works or abridged versions? How durable is the product (cassette vs. CD)? What is overall quality of the recording?

Periodicals
How do you select periodicals?
How does being an OWLSnet member affect your purchasing decisions? Discussion

Periodical purchasing considerations

Track Ill requests

Build core collection by addressing

general needs collection need for currency costs cost to bind photocopy use back issues/claims time consuming _and_ expensive

Periodical selection
What is the intended:
Scope
who are the editors, publishers, associations?

Audience
how do you know what it is? Examine table of contents, publisher, vocabulary, writers, contributors

Purpose
does it fill a need for your patrons?

Periodical criteria
Local interest

Accuracy- how do you know this?

Indexes- where is the title indexed? Cost - consider all the costs involved Demand - can you justify its use?
Is the use so low that you can get issues from within the consortium?

What about OWLSnet databases?

What do you have in print vs. what is available online?
How do you verify this?

Badgerlink Gale databases First Search Netlibrary

Online periodical lists

Do you check to see if the serial is available online? Online serials: http://www.ipl.org/reading/serials/ Online newspapers: http://www.ipl.org/reading/news/ Serials in cyberspace: http://www.uvm.edu:80/~bmaclenn/

What about comic books?

Evaluating comic books:
Popularity. Monthly lists of the top-selling comics titles are readily available in fan magazines and trade journals.
Tie-ins to TV shows, movies, video games, and toys. Writing quality, including originality of plot and characters, overall appeal, character development, dialogue, and pacing

Comic books
Evaluating
Artistic quality, including layout, dramatic impact, storytelling flow, drawing skill, coloring (where relevant), and lettering. Artistic style, especially regarding distinctive styles such as manga or cartoon art. Reputation of writers and artists, many of whom have strong fan followings

Comic books
Evaluating
Reputation of publisher (mature themes, controversy) Awards and recognition received. Industry awards include: Eisner, Harvey and Kirby. Fan awards include: Comics Buyers Guide Fan Awards and Usenet Squiddies. Color versus black & white. Newer readers may not be used to b&w comics. Age appropriateness

Comics
Evaluating
Genre. Super-hero and fantasy titles continue to be most prevalent but also consider: sci fi humor realistic fiction other styles
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/lml/comics/pa ges/selection.html

Comics Code Authority

Self-regulated by publishers http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/lml/comics/pages/ cca.html

Discussion- Purchasing and adding comic books, tabloids to your collection

Coverage in mission statement

Peg Burington - Waupaca Library

What about women?

Depiction of women in comic books

Discussion

Depiction of women in comics

Familiarize yourself with the two genres:
bad-girl Dirty pair Danger girl babe comics Xena Vampirella Alley Cat ect http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/lml/comics/pa ges/depiction.html

Collections in other languages

How many libraries have other language collections?
What languages are represented within OWLSnet?

Languages other than English

How do you start building the collection?
How is it different from building any collection?
Is it different? Do community analysis

Address the collection in your policies

Defend the expenditure which may appear to serve a limited population Does the policy address serving segments of the population?
Use census figures Estimate current and potential users that will benefit

Other languages
Do you have staff that are trained or capable of meeting the needs of a non-English community?
Could a community member assist you in the input of selection of materials? Could a community member assist in programming? Get you in touch with someone who could?

See insert - 10 reasons why we buy Spanish books helpful to make policy decisions!

Spanish selection
Recommended sources:
http://www.csusm.edu/csb/english/
The Center for the study of books in Spanish for children and adolescents

http://www.nypl.org/branch/kids/espanol/sprdli.h tml
childrens books in Spanish (NYPL) arranged by genre

Spanish language
Crticas - School Library Journal - latest titles
http://www.libraryjournal.com/criticas.asp

Spanish Book News

http://sbdbooks.com/
adult collection purchases- fiction, nonfiction

Lunch!!!!!!!!!!!

Meet back here at 1:00.

Weeding
Why, oh why, weed indeed? Weeding is part of the continual evaluation of the collection
based on community need and goals.
Collections change within the framework of those needs and goals.

Weeding and pruning

Why is it necessary?
Keep plants a particular size Space on shelves means easier browsing Remove diseased parts, broken and injured parts Duty to provide current information, if its on the shelf its worthy to have If its torn, crumbly or soiled- get rid of it Develop certain shapes, forms You need a plan to shape plants, growth creates imbalance

Weeding and pruning

Encourage best growth Careful pruning promotes growth. New colorful materials on shelves promotes use. Rejuvenate declining plants Is there a problem subject area? Is it rarely used? Can it be eliminated? Pruning and weeding are an ongoing process

Benefits to weeding!
Save shelf space Save search time in database Circ increases as remaining items are visible! Collection quality improves- unreliable info GONE!

Benefits to weeding
Librarians doing weeding gain better understanding of weeded area! Better reference service as staff discover new or forgotten resources! Reputation and usability of collection is enhanced! False or dangerous info is eliminated!

Discussion! Presenting: Carolyn Habeck HPL Ann Hunt NLP Craig Lahm KAU

Why dont we weed?

Not enough time Just cannot throw anything away! What if someone needs what I just pitched? No money to replace weeded material Weeding will leave nothing on the shelves What if something valuable gets thrown out? Weeding means that a mistake was made in ordering Status of a large collection

When should we weed?

One time per year
Schedule sections by Dewey number or by collections Request weeding reports from OWLS (BJS)

When new items can no longer be shelved for lack of space!

Every time items are returned

Weeding Criteria
MUSTIE
M U S T I E misleading ugly superceded trivial irrelevant elsewhere

Is something is better than nothing?

Weeding fiction
Is this novel still asked for? Is the book part of a series?
If you have one of the series?

Will this item circ if I add it to a display? Is the author still writing?

Weeding fiction
If w/d a title based on condition, can it be replaced with a more attractive copy? Am I unfamiliar with this genre?

Do I need to look up core authors?

Is it up to date in style, setting? Does it matter?

Weeding fiction
Has the item circulated in two years? Worn titles are worth replacing! Someone is reading them! (use the circ reports to determine) Series titles are often meant to be read in order- try to maintain the complete run! If the first title in the series circs but not the rest of the series- consider weeding!

Weeding Nonfiction
Weed by Dewey Number!
000 - General/Computer Info
computer info outdated in 3 years

100 - Philosophy and psychology

popular titles outdated 2-3 years

200 - Religion and mythology

does religion collection reflect your community? keep current, high turnover rate

Weeding by Dewey Number

300 - Social sciences
replace almanacs every 2 years circ older almanacs no more than 3-5 years check law and government for accuracy (school reports) watch balance of controversial topics

400 - Languages
foreign and ESL high use, replace as necessary based on community needs

Weeding by Dewey Number

500 - Pure sciences
retain basic historical works (Darwin) but continuously replace outdated

600 - Applied sciences

health /medical change rapidly consider danger of misinformation on shelves keep all collector and repair model books

700 - Arts and Recreation

keep art and history until worn out evaluate for accuracy though

Weeding by Dewey number

800 - Literature
Keep most recent editions and best condition Form literary criticism booklist from local school lists Middle and high school have different needs

900 - History/travel/biography
Evaluate for demand, accuracy, interpretation Strive for balance of perspective Travel books 2 years Biography- stay current with popular figures

YA and Children's selection?

Do not buy abridged copies when original is readily available Use adult criteria for nonfiction Replace worn-out classics Avoid flimsy bindings (Scholastic, DK) Buy picture books based on good illustrations YA- look for oversimplification and avoid it Avoid the following pubs:
Rigby, Playmore, Childrens Press, Landolls, Excelsior

Weeding Reference
Encyclopedias
Annual replacement City directories keep for genealogical purposes (but shelve in different location)

Do you have to buy directories?

Most are available online!

Vertical File
Only current year

Weeding reference
Dictionaries, atlases
as new editions become available replace

Magazines and Newspapers

1-3 years current transfer to microfilm - keep forever

Is something better than nothing?

Considerations
When deciding to replace audiovisual materials consider format
DVD instead of VHS CD instead of cassette

Wisconsin collection materials

Watch for new editions but be careful with one of a kind pieces Keep hiking, biking books current, please!

Now I have a pile of stuff

Keep but mend Newer edition? Can I replace new for cheaper? Ask yourself one last time- do I need this? Replace with new copy Pitch Book sale Give away Destroy...

Repair guidelines
Dont repair
Board books Mass market paperbacks Multiple copies of high demand Annuals Incomplete sets (print or audiovisual)

Online Vendors
Igrams Ipage
https://server1.ipage.ingrambook.com/li005.htm books, audio, soon to be added, videos
standing orders for popular fiction award winners by lists cart management publisher profiles current high interest titles

Baker & Taylor

How many of you use it?
Benefits? Drawbacks?

Collection Development Policies

Argh in reality collection development policies help the library operate in a clearly defined and documented way bringing together all that we discussed today!

Why are policies important?

Point of reference for staff to consult when deciding to acquire, keep, discard items By following guidelines you maintain consistency in decision making
staff turnover changes in funding

Serves as reinforcement for challenges

Elements of the policy

Define community needs through a profile Collection goals Selection responsibility Selection criteria Acquisitions Collection evaluation and assessment Weeding Reconsideration of materials (handling challenges)

Community profile/needs assessment

describe community the library serves, service area, general goals or mission elements of the profile can be included in general statement

NLP
A knowledge of the community is a vital ingredient in the responsible selection of library materials. There must be knowledge of residents' interests, capacities and problems, plus knowledge of the geographical and building patterns that affect the placement of materials to satisfy the residents' needs.

Collection goals
defines what priorities exist for collection building Kaukauna Public Library
The library will strive to provide materials and electronic resources that: A. Are culturally significant B. Contain reliable information C. Be of demonstrable entertainment value D. Satisfy the recreational and informal educational interests of adult and juvenile residents of the City of Kaukauna.

What are the benefits of broad vs. narrow policy writing?

Chicago Public Library

We welcome and support all people in their enjoyment of reading and pursuit of lifelong learning. Working together, we strive to provide equal access to information, ideas and knowledge through books, programs and other resources. We believe in the freedom to read, to learn and to discover.

Selection responsibility
How many of you do all the selecting?

How many of you have a policy to back up selection decisions?

Selection responsibility
Better to have more than one person select to avoid biases and permit discussion.
Not always possible in smaller libraries!

If you are a lone selector you could organize a community panel to determine what to select or discard

Selection criteria
Policies should include description of criteria within specific subject areas, including formats Identify if possible criteria for books, media, periodicals, electronic resources, and Internet resources. Consider including statements about age levels Consider including statement about subject areas

Consider statement about materials in languages other than English

Selection criteria
Examples of statements
The library will collect non-fiction in all subject areas, including opposing viewpoint The majority of best-selling fiction materials will be purchased during the extent of their popularity. The selectors will acquire only those items favorably reviewed in two or more selection aids. The library will not select items that contain violent or sensational material. The library will only select items that reflect the needs of our community.

Selection criteria
APL policy: Selection of materials may be influenced by many factors, including but not limited to the following:
a. budgetary considerations b. physical limitations of the library building c. suitability of the format and construction d. availability of specialized materials in other local libraries e. availability of material through interlibrary loan f. the need for added materials in subject areas g. the special needs of library patrons for materials in accessible formats

APL selection continued:

The final responsibility for material selection lies with the Library Director. The responsibility for initial selection of materials is shared by professional members of the staff. Recommendations from the public are welcomed

NLP
Items having widespread demand may or may not meet the general criteria contained in this policy. However, demand is a valid factor in book selection and it shall be considered an important factor in cases such as books on bestseller lists for which there is persistent local demand.

MAN
Responsibility for the selection of material rests with the library director with input from staff and the public. The director operates within the framework of this policy in making selection decisions.

Statement about language purchases

Not necessary to include but useful to validate spending money on items that appear to serve a limited segment of the population
readies your position if questioned

Remember that official figures underestimate ESL populations

Can you estimate benefit by potential users? How?

Acquisitions
Describe acquisitions processes
most libraries do not do this

Describe gift policy

Giftsdonations

The most diplomatic and appropriate way to address donations is ...

Through your collection development policy

Is something better than nothing?

Gift Policy
Written policy should state:
Conditions for acceptance Selection criteria for new materials will be applied to gifts Detail which books you will not accept (reference 5+ years, textbooks) Reserve the right to accept, sell, reject or otherwise dispose of donated materials If possible have donors sign a form that donations were made without restriction

Example:
WEY
The library accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if appropriate and needed. If they are not needed because of duplication, condition, or dated information the director can dispose of them as he/she sees fit. The same criteria of selection which are applied to purchased materials are applied to gifts...

Evaluation & assessment

Indicate formulas or methods used

Collection strengths and weaknesses

"The collection needs continuous evaluation in order to be sure that the Library is fulfilling its mission to provide materials in a timely manner to meet patrons' interests and needs. Statistical tools such as circulation reports, collection turnover rates, fill rates, reference fill rates, shelf allotments, and volume counts are studied to determine how the collection is being used and how it should change to answer patron usage.... Patron input and community surveys are also used in evaluating the collection...."

Evaluation & assessment

NLP
When judging the quality of materials several standards and combinations of standards may be used, as some materials may be judged primarily on artistic merit, while others are considered because of scholarship, value as human documents, or ability to satisfy the recreational entertainment needs of the community.

Weeding
Include weeding guidelines and criteria

Protects library when discarding material

APL: The library collection will be kept attractive and current by a continual program of repairing, discarding or replacing worn and out-dated materials.

SEY
The library follows a systematic weeding procedure. Its purpose is to maintain an active, useful and current collection. Items of limited use are eliminated to make room for more useful materials. On a regular, rotating basis, librarians and staff review the different assigned areas of the collection. Basic criteria to consider when reviewing an item for withdrawal are:

SEY Use -- Items that have not circulated during a specified number of years may be considered for withdrawal. Subject coverage -- The relation of the item to others in the same subject. Superseded editions -- Older editions will not be retained unless they have unique value to the collection. Duplicate copies -- Duplicates are retained when demand calls for them.

 Value to the library -- An item that is dated and obsolete, of low priority, or readily available elsewhere may be considered for withdrawal. Availability -- Consideration will be given as to whether an item is the last copy available in the library or in the library system. Well-rounded collection -- Retention is considered for items representing subjects of new or renewed interest and classics or items of historical value significant to the library and to the community. Particularly careful consideration will be given to materials in literature, history and the arts. Condition -- Materials in poor condition are considered for repair, replacement, or withdrawal.

Reconsiderations
A.k.a challenges How to be prepared with your policy

Wording
APL
Challenges regarding specific materials will be reviewed upon written request. A form for this purpose may be requested from any professional librarian.

WEY
Although materials are carefully selected, there can arise difference of opinion regarding suitable materials. When a patron objects to a particular selection, the objections shall be made in writing and the following procedures will be adhered to in processing the complaint.

Wording
SEY
When a library patron requests that an item be removed from the collection, the librarian will inform the patron of the collection development policy and the criteria for acquisitions. The following points will be made in discussion with the patron: 1. The collection includes a range of opinions. 2. The library supports the ALA Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement. 3. If the patron wishes to make a formal complaint, the librarian will provide a form to be completed (online form PDF file). Only formal and written requests will be considered.

What is important?
Having a policy on hand
prompt, courteous handling of complaints

Being prepared ahead of time

are procedures in place? standard form, staff awareness of procedure? familiarity with local laws that define obscenity (community standards) familiarity with organizations that can help

ALA Bill of Rights if endorsed by your library

http://www.ala.org/work/freedom/lbr.html#rights

Wrap up!
What didnt we talk about?

Presentation available upon request.

Bibliography
Alabaster, Carol. Developing an outstanding core collection : a guide for public libraries. Chicago : American Library Association, 2002. (on order) Larson, Jeanette. Model policies for small and medium public libraries. New York : Neal-Schuman Publishers, c1998. Public Library Association. Policy Manual Committee. PLA handbook for writers of public library policies. Chicago : Public Library Association, 1993.

Bibliography