Selecting Children’s Literature for Academic Libraries.

Bailey, Rachel

Bay, M.T. (2001). Selecting children’s literature for academic libraries. Behavioral and Social Sciences Librarian, 19 (2), 1-6. doi: 10.1300/ J103v19n02_01.

Summary: This article gives academic librarians who are responsible for library’s children’s book collection, a crash course on how to select the best available children’s books. Suggestions include contacting education faculty, talking to elementary school teachers, using reference books, selecting books that have won major awards, searching the Internet and perusing periodicals.

Evaluation: Although this article was published over a decade ago, I still thought it had some good selection advice especially for the academic librarian who may not know much about children’s literature. This article is also helpful to me on a personal front. I have never considered academic librarianship because I enjoy working with children’s books and materials. The article reminded me that some academic librarians do indeed work with some of these materials. So, I may consider academic librarianship as a future career.

Promoting a Juvenile Awards Approval Plan: Using Collaboration and Selected Projects for Improved Visibility and Findability to Promote Juvenile Collections in Academic Libraries.

Bailey, Rachel

Shipman, T. (2014). Promoting a juvenile awards approval plan: Using collaboration and selected projects for improved visibility and findability to promote juvenile collections in academic libraries. Behavioral and Social Sciences Librarian, 33, 176-187. doi: 10.1080/01639269.2014.964592.

Summary: This article showcases a plan the University of Auburn underwent to promote awareness and use of the juvenile books collection.  Books, in particular, that had won special medals or awards were the main focus of the plan. In collaboration with professors from the education and teacher librarian departments, collections staff raised awareness of the books by creatively displaying the books, having an open house and instruction about the books, creating subject guides and adding “award winner” notes to the library catalog. Assessment of the plan showed that usage of the books had increased.

Evaluation: This perspective of this article was interesting. Being a former elementary and middle school teacher, I come from a K-12 background. It was interesting to see the process and strategies academic librarians use to promote juvenile books to the college crowd. Typically, when I think of juvenile books, I think of books that are in schools, not college libraries. The marketing of these books is what intrigued me the most. In some ways, the approach was the same for what you would use for a school age child. For example, book displays are one way to get a child to check out a book.

Remember Me? Content Development in a User-Centered Services Library

Bailey, Rachel

Morris, S.E. & Currie, L. (2014). Remember me? Content development in a user-centered services library. Collection Management, 39, 96-109. doi:10.1080/01462679.2014.891493.

Summary: Because of strategic planning and the need for budget cuts, the University of Kansas libraries restructured their collections’ department. The libraries went from thirty librarians working on collection development to seven working on materials selection. The old structure had librarians that were specialists for a particular academic discipline. The new structure has the librarians working together to gather materials for all the disciplines. The article also mentioned how they were able to cut down on serials collections after looking at usage data.  Surprisingly, there were many advantages noted for this new model. Obvious disadvantages were noted as well.

Evaluation: Since much of a library’s materials are supported through funds, it was interesting to see how KU handled the situation. As a graduate of the University of Kansas, this article was of personal interest to me. I always thought the university had top-notch libraries and it seems like it will continue to do so.

Game as Book: Selecting Video Games for Academic Libraries Based on Discipline Knowledge.

Bailey, Rachel

Thomas, C. M. & Clyde, J. (2013). Game as book: Selecting video games for academic libraries based on discipline knowledge. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 39, 522-527.

Summary: This article discusses the use of video games for scholarly content. Choosing four historical video games, librarians studied the games to see how well the games conveyed discipline specific knowledge. Although none of the games were considered to be scholarly, two of them were considered to have good historical content.  From here, the authors talk about the process one should go through in determining if a game conveys discipline knowledge.

Evaluation: I think it’s great that academic librarians are beginning to study the use of video games for discipline specific knowledge. The evaluation and selection process they used was also invaluable.

New Directions for Academic Video Game Collections: Strategies for Acquiring, Supporting, and Managing Online Materials

Bailey, Rachel

Robson, D. & Durkee, P. (2012). New directions for academic video game collections: Strategies for acquiring, supporting, and managing online materials. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 38(2), 79-84.

Summary: This article does a quick review of the literature in regards to video game collections in academic libraries. It then gives an overview of the five-year plan gaming librarians at the University of North Texas (UNT) have for their video game collection. Of note, is the deliberate shift from consoles and video game cartridges and discs to the online gaming trend. From here the authors talk about ways to acquire online gaming collections as well as the types of games that will be desirable for the UNT collection.

Evaluation: I think it’s great that academic libraries are starting to add video games to their collections. Not only are materials available for game design, but they are also starting to be available to supplement curriculum. This is such a great teaching tool and it is relevant to students’ lives. This is also true of the K-12 market.

Collection Development of Rare Materials

By Terry Funk

Allen, S. (2012). Seeking gifts of rare materials: Things to consider. Journal of Library Administration, 52, 233-243.

Summary: This article discusses the process of acquiring rare materials in the library and offers insight into key elements for success. First, there are several reasons that people give to an institution and understanding their motivations is essential. Some reasons for giving in the U.S. include: taxes, timing, to make a difference, to honor someone, to share with an institution that can manage and maintain a collection and so on. Sometimes the motivations have to do with religion, race and cultural background and a desire to preserve one’s heritage. Collectors may also have concerns about parting with their collection. Will the institution continue to develop the collection, or will it be secure?  Another issue for successful acquisition of materials is personality. Most librarians are introverts, while development professionals tend to be extroverts. Both types bring talent to the task, and an awareness of these types makes for smooth relations with potential donors.  Having a model in mind for acquiring gifts is helpful, e.g. Joyce’s  four stages of donor relations (as cited in Allen, 2012) while knowing that each stage takes time, often years. This article emphasizes the importance of a Collection Development Policy that is clear and concise and then weighing the potential gift against that policy - (What is the research value of the gift? Who will use the collection?  What are the costs? Is the donor willing to provide an endowment?). Some deal breakers for the library may be involved in the negotiations stage, when a donor’s true motives may come to light (ideally the institution will want as few strings as possible and clear title), attorneys may be involved, etc. Other headaches include the donor’s family, and saying “No” to a potential donor without damaging the relationshp. After a gift is accepted, the library should pay attention to the commitments agreed to, and plan a timeline for carrying out its obligations.

Evaluation: This article is particularly helpful to Librarians (middle managers) who may not be Development Professionals, because it sheds light on the institutional realities of working with donors. As the author points out, one’s institutional culture is often the hardest to change, and it is important to follow the lines of authority for soliciting gifts both externally and internally. Communication is very crucial, and so is having a working policy.

The 2.0 Librarian

Hubschman, Amy

Resource:
Partridge, H., Lee, J., & Munro, C. (2010). Becoming "Librarian 2.0": The Skills, Knowledge, and Attributes Required by Library and Information Science Professionals in a Web 2.0 World (and Beyond). Library Trends, 59 (1-2), 315-335. doi: 10.1353/lib.2010.0029

Summary:
This peer reviewed article focuses on the specific traits that will be required by librarians working in today's digital age.  The article gives an insight into the growing trend of the new "Librarian 2.0 Professional" and what skills will be necessary to properly operate an efficient library of today.  The article compares libraries and librarianship of the past to those of the present, as well as, those of the future.  The article discusses library collaboration, library adaptability, and the ever-changing collection development of successful libraries.

Evaluation:
This article is a good example of how the place and role libraries and librarianship is constantly changing.  The patrons of today have different needs and wants than those of the past. Most importantly this article addresses the ways in which a successful library and an efficient librarian are current, relevant to their patrons, and meet their ever-changing collection needs.

Collection Development in Cyberspace: Building an Electronic Library Collection

Casso, Gillian

Collection Development in Cyberspace: Building an Electronic Library Collection

Elkordy, A & Kovacs, D. K. (2000). Collection development in cyberspace: building an electronic library collection. Library Hi Tech, Vol. 18 Iss: 4, pp.335 – 361

Summary: This article describes the importance of expanding resources for patrons including those that are available in electronic format. As web based resources become more prevalent, librarians need to develop new skill sets and awareness. Librarians need to be able to identify, facilitate and educate library patrons on how to access electronic resources and when to use them. The creation of an e-library collection is one way of making sure libraries and patrons have the same kind of access to electronic resources as they had to traditional print resources. This article is a practical discussion of developing and implementing a collection plan for building a Web-based e-library. The article will also discuss patron needs, service levels and patron expectations. It will also discuss how and where to find, identity, evaluate and select appropriate information resources.

Evaluation: In the years that I have worked for public libraries I have seen electronic resources grow and expand. As these resources have grown librarians as well as libraries have had to adapt to the change. I liked how the authors defined what e-libraries and digital libraries are. It makes it clear to those readers who may be unfamiliar or unsure of the definitions of these terms.  I think that this article is a great resource for those who are interested in e-libraries and digital libraries. The steps that they give for developing an e-library and defining the patron base are logical. I found this to be an insightful article.  

Notes For Notes

Casso, Gillian

NOTES FOR NOTES

JUNTTONEN, M. B. (2015). NOTES FOR NOTES. Notes, 71(3), 479-480.

Summary: The Michigan State University acquired a music collection from the Alfredo Levy conservatory. This will allow the University to preserve the collection and allow students and scholars to have access. Over 1,000 items are in this collection, including scores, manuscripts, correspondence, and ephemeral items.  Once the appropriate preservation methods are applied, the items will be catalogued and housed in the  Libraries Special Collections.

Evaluation: I think that it is great that the University was able to acquire this collection. The items in the collection are in various states of preservation so it is wonderful that the University will be able to look after them. The items in the collection seem amazing.

Reinventing Collection Development for a Digital Age: On-Demand and On-the-Go-video

Paul Zurawski

Clark, M. (2011, September 1). Reinventing Collection Development for a Digital Age: On-Demand and On-the-Go. Retrieved February 22, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkCYdX6bGi4

Reinventing Collection Development for a Digital Age: On-Demand and On-the-Go

20 minutes long

Source: Youtube.com

Summary:

This video is about the importance of shifting collection development to meets the needs of the current day patron. The speaker discusses why libraries should allocate money towards building electronic resources and databases, as well as how to evaluate if they are effective. The video also stresses the importance of utilizing tools such as interlibrary loan to fulfill short term needs of patrons, such as getting a title that the library would not normally order, or would not see much use otherwise.

Evaluation:

All of this information is money and efficiency saving techniques that everyone looking to start or maintain a collection should know to help best run it. All of it is incredible practical and means making the most of your budget in the most effective means. It’s important to learn to learn how to follow trends regarding patrons and their needs, as well as gathering to tools they can make the most of. Librarians need to think about every tool at their disposal to make all ends meet, such as the points of using ILL for short term borrow vs buying a material that will see little use.

20 Maxims for Collection Building

Bailey, Rachel

Genco, B. & Kuzyk, R. (2007). 20 maxims for collection building. Library Journal, 132(9). Np. Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com

Summary: The gist of this article is driven from an interview with Barbara Genco, collection development director at the Brooklyn Public Library. Written in 2007, the article talks about the future of collection development. Major topics include empowering patrons, mobility and digitization, responsive administration, e- content and streaming selection and transparent holdings.

Evaluation: Since this article was written in 2007, it was interesting to see what a collections librarian would predict the future of collection development to be like. Since I am just learning about library collections, I don’t know if all of her predictions have come to fruition.

Collection Development and Management: An Overview of the Literature, 2011-12.

Bailey, Rachel

Lehman, K.A. (2014). Collection development and management: An overview of the literature, 2011-12. LRTS, 58(3), 169-177.

Summary: This article explores collection development literature from 2011-2012. Much of the literature discussed limited budgets as well as space saving issues. Also addressed were e-books as well as open access availability, demand driven acquisitions, print on demand and weeding.

Evaluation: This article reminded me that collection development is a big topic and there are a lot of subjects under this heading. After reading the overview of the literature, I was particularly intrigued by the process of demand driven acquisitions. There’s no better way to find out what patrons want than going straight to the source. This should be done in addition to the other methods that are already in place.    

The Practical Librarians Guide to Collection Development: Weeding and Acquisition Made Easier

Bailey, Rachel

Kalan, A.P. (2014). The practical librarians guide to collection development: Weeding and acquisition made easier. American Libraries, np. Retrieved from http://www.americanlibraries.org

Summary: The author gives the reader tips on how to weed materials as well as create and maintain a successful collection. Some advice includes reviewing circulation statistics, getting rid of subject areas that change rapidly, making sure that technology and science books are up to date, looking at the library system’s holds, and reviewing vendor statistics.

Evaluation: I like how the author mentions vendor statistics. I hadn’t really thought about this before. If a book is popular with costumers on a national level, then it will probably be popular at a more local level.

Getting Data Right

Bailey, Rachel

Bradford, R. (2014). Getting data right. Library Journal, 139(8), 26-26.

Summary: This article addresses how collection development decisions can be made through data.  For example, after the economic downturn, circulation statistics showed that books about European statistics dwindled whereas books about “staycations” were more often checked out. Consequently, more “staycation” books were ordered. The author goes onto state that just because a book hasn’t been checked out for three years, it doesn’t mean it needs to be weeded from the system. Maybe the book is a classic that isn’t necessarily popular at that time. Finally, the article mentions data software that is becoming more popular such as HQ from Baker & Taylor and Decision Center from Innovative Interfaces, Inc.

Evaluation: I like how this article reiterates the importance of using statistics to acquire new materials as well as evaluate an existing collection. In the near future, I would like to see how the data software mentioned in the article is used.