Chapter 2 - Life cycle of a collection

Abstract

Library collections follow a life cycle, and each stage of the life cycle has implications for collection quality. Each stage of the life cycle also provides opportunities for evaluation. Holistic collection management considers how each stage of the life cycle affects the others, and workflows and processes should be created with the complete life cycle in mind. The eight stages of the collection life cycle include selection, acquisitions, processing and cataloging, shelving, checkout (use), re-shelving and re-use, repair and maintenance, and finally weeding and replacing. Digital collections, self-published titles, effects of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters, and inclusion, diversity, equity, and access all have implications throughout the collection life cycle.