COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT OLS North Conference 2013 Presenter: Andre Lepine
Session goals To know how to build a popular reading collection by:
Session goals To know how to build a popular reading collection by: gathering information
Session goals To know how to build a popular reading collection by: gathering information evaluating your popular collection
Session goals To know how to build a popular reading collection by: gathering information evaluating your popular collection weeding
Session goals To know how to build a popular reading collection by: gathering information evaluating your popular collection weeding developing a buying plan
Session goals To know how to build a popular reading collection by: gathering information evaluating your popular collection weeding developing a buying plan selecting and acquiring materials
Introduction CD should never be a haphazard process, but neither should it be extremely precise
Introduction CD should never be a haphazard process, but neither should it be extremely precise Influenced by: Community served
Introduction CD should never be a haphazard process, but neither should it be extremely precise Influenced by: Community served Existing collection
Introduction CD should never be a haphazard process, but neither should it be extremely precise Influenced by: Community served Existing collection Long-range collection plans
Introduction CD should never be a haphazard process, but neither should it be extremely precise Influenced by: Community served Existing collection Long-range collection plans Policies
Introduction CD should never be a haphazard process, but neither should it be extremely precise Influenced by: Community served Existing collection Long-range collection plans Policies BUDGET!
Gather information Firstly, remember Library patrons co-own the collection and all other library services Good libraries focus on users and see the collection as a tool to push the community forward
Gather information Demographic information about the community Age groups, home language, etc. Census
Gather information Demographic information about the community Age groups, home language, etc. Census Community s library wants/needs Suggestion box (email, on website, on the counter) Community consultation/surveys Trends in ILL requests
Gather information Cont d Requests for alternative formats (ebooks, eaudio books, etc.) Use of provincial e-resources Use of OLS-N pools
Evaluate your popular collection Circulation Collection use, turnover, age of materials Which areas circulating well and which are not
Evaluate your popular collection Circulation Collection use, turnover, age of materials Which areas circulating well and which are not Checking lists Award winners, best of lists Trillium Book Award winners BookList best books list Library Journal best books list Patron feedback
Evaluate your popular collection Presence of complete popular series
Evaluate your popular collection Presence of complete popular series Non-fiction materials relation to community interests and activities
Evaluate your popular collection Presence of complete popular series Non-fiction materials relation to community interests and activities Remember Everything is dependent on your community!
Weeding Important component of keeping your collection relevant
Weeding Reasons to discard material may include: Lack of use Poor physical condition Change in community preferences Racist or stereotypical content Duplicated or superseded content Poorly written Outdated Inappropriate reading level for collection
Buying plan Use information already gathered Areas growing and declining Demographic information Collection evaluation Base your spending on above information
Selection procedures Use selection aids: Bestseller and award-winning book lists NYT/Globe & Mail/Macleans bestseller lists Publishers Weekly bestseller list Amazon bestsellers, award winner lists
Selection procedures Use selection aids: Bestseller and award-winning book lists NYT/Globe & Mail/Macleans bestseller lists Publishers Weekly bestseller list Amazon bestsellers, award winner lists Review journals Library Journal book reviews BookList book reviews
Selection procedures Use selection aids: Publisher/vendor lists Library Bound lists Tinlids lists
Selection procedures Use selection aids: Publisher/vendor lists Library Bound lists Tinlids lists Social media GoodReads user lists (http://www.goodreads.com/list)
Selection procedures For First Nation public libraries: Amazon.ca First Nation bestsellers GoodMinds top picks
Selection procedures Considerations Subject Medium/durability For books, consider binding For audiovisual materials, consider longevity of format Relation to community needs Relation to the collection Timeliness of subject Cost
Acquisitions procedure General points Consider buying fewer titles but more frequently Feature new books in face-forward displays Create a new section for newer books that match community activities Weed frequently
Acquisitions procedure Vendors Typically provide substantial discounts Saunders, WhiteHots, GoodMinds, etc. Approval plans
Acquisitions procedure Vendors Typically provide substantial discounts Saunders, WhiteHots, GoodMinds, etc. Approval plans Local retailers (i.e. bookstores) If an item is needed in a hurry
Acquisitions procedure Vendors Typically provide substantial discounts Saunders, WhiteHots, GoodMinds, etc. Approval plans Local retailers (i.e. bookstores) If an item is needed in a hurry Gifts and donations Not always advisable to add them to the collection
A final word Collection Development is always an ongoing process Doesn t have to be overly complex, but does require some planning Use your own knowledge/awareness of your library and community s needs in combination with trusted resources/lists
Questions
Contact Andre Lepine Skills Development Advisor Cataloguing and Collections alepine@olsn.ca 705.675.6467 ext. 210 800.461.6348 ext. 210