LI 855 Collection Development and Management

Assignment #5: Instructions This project is designed for teams of two (maximum three) students. Because of the geographic limitations we face in an online class, please partner with someone in the same vicinity if you plan to do any on-site collection investigation. One member of each group should notify me via email of the names of his or her group members; if you prefer to work alone, notify me of that as well. If your name does not come up in one of the emails, youll be assigned to a group by your area of interest (insofar as possible). For this assignment, it is more important to raise key issues than to produce definitive answers. Essential elements: 1. The library must have a permanent collection no floating collections.

2. The library must have a collections policy. Note that if you are looking at a larger repository, you may be focusing on one area of the collections policy, e.g., the sociology collection at a university library, the young adult collection at a large public library, and so on. Topics to address: -The collections policy (subjects, levels, scope, formats, etc.). -The needs of the relevant patron group, e.g., curriculum, academic programs related to the subject area, community composition. -The current state of the collection, via shelf examination or online catalog (Dewey/LC ranges). Is the collections policy being met? Any inconsistencies? -The electronic resources available. Obviously, I am not expecting you to discuss the specific contractual arrangements at a library; as we know, databases and electronic serials present complex issues. Leaving aside these matters, do you see a duplication of resources? Are there reasons to prefer electronic over print, or vice versa? (The library may have a separate collections policy for electronic resources; if so, refer to it in your analysis). -What sources exist to help assess appropriate coverage? Any other factors, e.g., resource sharing options? -How does the recommended strategy for dealing with the budget cut preserve the integrity of the collection?