Collection Management, Assessment, and Development: Reviving Collections during LMS Implementation

Abstract

ABSTRACTAs small academic libraries move toward new, cloud-based systems, metadata evaluation and whole-collection analysis have never been easier. These small libraries have limited or non-existent staff, limited resources, and sometimes a lack of training that prevents them from maintaining a dynamic, vibrant collection. Meanwhile, budget cuts, the increased demand for e-resources, and changing technology require budgetary funds to shift to other resources and endeavors. For one particular library, years of print and microform metadata issues as a result of poor training, difficult to use systems, and a lack of adherence to cataloging standards created several serious problems when migrating from Ex Libris Voyager to OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. WorldShare Management System. Migration presented an opportunity to correct these issues and evaluate the print and electronic collections as a whole to create an up-to-date collection with far greater impact on the university’s curriculum. This article details the workflow changes, along with several of the issues experienced during migration and how those issues were corrected. How the library used the new library management system to evaluate the collections for overlap, suitability, and usage to deselect materials and shift funds to other resources is also discussed.