Collection Development Project Research Articles

Curating, Community, Collaboration

What began in a library science course as a collection development project serendipitously transformed into varied learning experiences for students across disciplines and program levels. This article shares the journey of how a singular lesson idea blossomed into an unintentional, multidisciplinary project that led to unexpected learning outcomes for all involved.

Collecting Sarah Piatt at the Ohio State University's Rare Books & Manuscripts Library

Collecting Sarah Piatt at the Ohio State University's Rare Books & Manuscripts Library

Developing a collection around transgender life-writing at Senate House Library, University of London

Purpose The purpose of this case study is to document the process of building a collection of works around transgender life-writing, following the identification of a significant gap in the existing collections. Design/methodology/approach This case study describes and evaluates a collection development project undertaken at Senate House Library, University of London. After evaluating four comparable case studies, guidelines were developed for acquisitions to the collection, based on subject, conservation needs and financial expense. Findings Twenty items were selected for the collection, dating from 1933 to 2015, including books and magazines in multiple languages. The items acquired for the collection push back against the genre’s traditional preoccupation with transition. Writers describe their experiences as a racing driver and fighter pilot (Roberta Cowell), an NGO director (A. Revathi), a Buddhist monk (Michael Dillon), a professional tennis player and ophthalmologist (Renée Richards), and a travel writer, journalist and mountaineer (Jan Morris). Research limitations/implications Challenges included setting the scope of the collection, and questions around the cataloguing and arrangement of materials. Practical implications Items acquired for the collection entered the library separately and were processed individually by the library’s cataloguing team as they arrived. Several issues arose during this stage of the project. Social implications To serve the needs of library users effectively, it is necessary to analyse the imbalances in collections as a routine practice. Originality/value The case study is original in focusing on a comparably small project with larger implications for the user experience and inclusivity of a library and its collections.

Developing a P-12 English Language Learner Collection in an Academic Library That Reflects Its Community

The percentage of English Language Learners (ELLs) has grown in public schools across the United States in recent decades. Curriculum materials libraries associated with teacher education programs must modify their collections to better prepare teachers for work in these increasingly diverse preschool to twelfth grade (P-12) schools. This article describes how librarians at a research institution in one of the country’s largest school districts approached a collection development project in support of young ELLs and the educators who work with them. Prior to purchasing any new materials, the librarians assessed the current collection, surveyed the literature and current practices regarding ELL collections, and researched characteristics of the local school district. Age-appropriate non-English language materials can help to support the continued development of home languages and culture, while nontraditional youth formats, including graphic novels and hi-lo books, provide ELLs with the opportunity to read developmentally appropriate materials with less text intimidation.

Transforming Library Collections and Supporting Student Learning with Collection Mapping

ABSTRACT Collection management and development projects are essential to ensure students have access to resources that best align with the learning outcomes of their coursework. After evaluating their collection, the librarians at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) overhauled their print collection to make sure the titles available to students matched the college’s curricula and degree programs. Collection mapping played an important role in gathering data, allowing the librarians to streamline print collections with a focus on curricular needs as well as forming partnerships with faculty in developing the new collection. The presentation covered the FSW Libraries’ project goals, implementation, and outcomes.

Overdue: Collection development and deselection projects for a faculty-selected collection

Kent Library at Southeast Missouri State University is one of the only academic libraries in the United States to have a faculty-selected main collection. Three newly hired employees to the library updated a 28-year-old collection development policy and facilitated the reclassification of a half-million-item collection from the Dewey Decimal to the Library of Congress (LC) classification system. To complete these projects, the strengths and challenges of a faculty-selected collection were balanced through implementing research findings, collaborating, communicating, and being flexible.

Broadening your library’s collection: Implementing a LGBTQIA collection development project

A constant concern for libraries is providing a collection of resources that are relevant to its patron population. Since most libraries have budgetary concerns that must be weighed against these needs, sometimes certain collection areas go underdeveloped. This is by no means the fault of the librarians, but priorities must be set and things fall behind. However, in many cases, it takes a reminder of patron needs to bring to light holes in a library’s collection. This is what transpired to me at Jackson Library at Lander University.

We Did It! A Collaborative Collection Development Project at the KU and KSU Libraries

For many years, the KU and KSU Libraries have looked for a method of combining their resources to create a collaborative collection development project. When KSU joined YBP as their main book vendor, it became evident that such a project might get off the ground since KU Libraries were longtime customers of YBP. Since Proquest was the main vendor for e-books for both schools and YBP sold e-books from Proquest, KU and KSU decided to approach their e-book specialist with Proquest to find out if a collaborative demand-driven (DDA) e-book project was possible. Proquest negotiated with the publishers the two schools selected and settled on an agreement with Proquest to set up a DDA program with short-term loans. When a purchase was triggered, KU and KSU would together pay 150% of the list price for an e-book and both schools would have access no matter which school triggered the purchase.

Book Review: Shared Collections: Collaborative Stewardship

Librarians are natural collaborators. As professionals we enjoy working with colleagues within the same institution and beyond. This is particularly fitting when it comes to collection development. Academic libraries strive to support the research needs of our users by providing access to a wide range of materials. In a world of shrinking budgets and limited staff, we turn to collaboration as a way to continue to deliver excellent services to our patrons. Collaborative partnerships between regional institutions or across state lines allow individual organizations to reallocate their resources and better serve the local needs. If you are ready to begin the planning stages of a collaborative collection development project, this book is a great starting point. Shared Collections: Collaborative Stewardship is a gathering of essays that discusses an array of cooperative collection development projects in a variety of institutions. It covers everything you need to know from how to create a partnership of shared collections (chapter 2) to specific examples of current projects covering everything from serials (chapter 4), monographs (chapters 6 and 8) and digital collections (chapter 7).

Digital Dreams: The Potential in a Pile of Old Jewish Newspapers

To celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica at the University of Florida, the Price Library launched the first stage of a project to digitize an important, special collection of anniversary editions of Jewish newspapers from around the world. This article provides the history of the collection, need for this project, steps involved in digitization and digital collection building, and future events based on the feedback to the initial project, which will include outreach, subsequent individual and collaborative digital collection development projects, online exhibits, and more.

A Comparison of EBSCO's "Art & Architecture Complete" and H.W. Wilson's "Art Full-Text" Databases

The following research investigation began as a special collection development project at Louisiana State University to evaluate two fine arts electronic databases—EBSCO's "Art & Architecture Complete" and H.W. Wilson's "Art Full-Text". The article provides an examination of the content of each database individually, then presents a comparison of the shared title content and coverage, both full-text and abstracting and indexing. The author attempts to determine which database provides access to a greater portion of the periodical literature in the visual arts.

Collaborative collection development: a Canadian‐Indonesian initiative

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the collaborative collection development initiative undertaken by the Indonesia Social Equity Project.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a brief history and descriptive analysis of an international collection development project.FindingsThe paper examines practical issues that arose while building the library collection as a librarian/faculty collaboration, with the added element of having been conducted within a multicultural context.Originality/valueSimilar case studies describing international collection development projects are rare in the literature. The article is of interest to librarians researching issues related to cross‐cultural collaboration.

Science and Technology Books on Demand: A Decade of Patron-Driven Collection Development, Part 2

The Purdue University Libraries have been participating in a patron-driven collection development project for 10 years. This analysis focuses on the books purchased in the science and technology areas. The author found that the books were appropriate and in many cases identified emerging or interdisciplinary topics that might have been missed by librarians. In addition, data proved to be a rich source of information for collecting, such as identifying publishers or emerging areas that warranted further attention from selectors. Although not replacing librarians as the major collection developers, patron-driven selection is one successful way to augment collection development.

Electronic Book Collection Development in Italy: a case study

The paper reports the results of a research project that aimed to investigate how academic librarians are managing the integration of electronic book collections in their library holdings and focuses on the selection criteria and collection development issues. The background is represented by the Italian academic libraries that have been lately involved in electronic book collection development projects, and by the Italian digital publishing e-books offer.

Building a Sub‐Saharan African film collection

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to help librarians interested in developing a basic understanding of Sub‐Saharan African cinema and increase awareness of the resources available when building a collection of sub‐Saharan African films for their library. A general review is provided to help become familiar with the history and nature of the four regions discussed.Design/methodology/approach – A collection development project to expand a mid‐sized university's collection of sub‐Saharan African films is discussed. Includes brief historical information and core titles, selected for their historical role and/or ease of purchase.Findings – A list of core films is recommended for academic and public libraries representing four geographic regions of sub‐Saharan Africa: Nigeria, South Africa, West Africa, and East Africa.Research limitations/implications – Unfortunately, many of the titles referenced in academic literature and winners of African film awards are not available for purchase outside of Africa,...

Advanced Collection Development project in partnership with a vendor

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to discuss a project to enhance Texas A&M University at Qatar Library's (TAMUQL's) engineering curriculum, graduate, and research programs with newly acquired monographs and maps.Design/methodology/approachThe project was carried out with the partnership and cooperation of TAMUQL, YBP Library Services and TAMUL.FindingsThe project succeeded in meeting the objectives of the project, which included supporting the needs of freshmen to senior levels of the liberal arts curriculum as well as those of the faculty.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the growing documentation of the value of working partnerships between libraries and vendors.

Expanding a collection to reflect diverse user populations

PurposeTo include multicultural/multilingual materials in academic library collections to reflect the heritage of native‐born, naturalized and international students.Design/methodology/approachA collection development project on Somalis and Somalia at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Exemplifies the opportunities and difficulties involved, from requesting funds through impact on the collection.FindingsCollection now more accurately reflects student and regional population without a major shift away from curriculum needs.Originality/valueAdding materials based on students' heritage helps create a welcoming atmosphere for all populations while providing materials with which to counter prejudices and to increase the knowledge base and communicative competencies of those unused to multicultural settings.

Measuring Success of Cooperative Collection Development

ABSTRACT This report of the Working Group for Quantitative Evaluation of Cooperative Collection Development identifies ways of evaluating through quantitative measures the success of cooperative collection development activities. Following a literature review, the group developed four basic groups of performance measures including: resources or input data (numerical data like FTE, staff, items purchased, items in collections, etc.); financial data (library/group expenditures, unit costs, etc.); use data (use of electronic, print, or near print, documents delivered, etc.); and user satisfaction data. On the basis of a modified balanced scorecard approach, specific performance measures and underlying data points are identified that could be effective in measuring cooperative collection development efforts and determining if a cooperative collection development project reduced unit costs, increased access to information resources, and resulted in increased use and user satisfaction.

American University of Sharjah Library: a collection development project

The American University of Sharjah (AUS) in the United Arab Emirates was established in 1997. The university’s international curriculum and the library holdings have changed with the growth of the student enrollment. Assessment of the library collection was, therefore, necessary to maintain the quality of the materials. The objectives of the assessment were to support the international mission and curriculum of the university and to identify the unique materials to the region and gaps in the collection. Collection development policies were created that were unique to the Gulf region. In addition, the international faculty responded to a collection development survey and participated in a serials evaluation project. As a result of the assessment, an intensive collection development program was undertaken, the approval plan extended, and thousands of new monographs ordered. The project became a model for other newly developed libraries in the Gulf region.

Building on a Land-Grant Tradition: Engagement at the Mississippi State University Libraries

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the need for land-grant libraries to develop services and projects in support of the mission of their universities. Projects developed at the Mississippi State University Libraries are discussed from the perspective of “engaged” library services. These services include outreach activities to academic departments, core instructional initiatives, support services to extension personnel (ELL), collaborative collection development projects (DigiTop Plus) and projects designed to preserve the state's agricultural history (CHARM).