Collection Development Presentation

1. Collection
Development
Weeding and Selection
By: Peter Lawrentiw

2. Subject of Interest: French
Formal Gardens
• I chose “Versailles – French formal garden style”, as the subject of
interest for my collection development experience.
• The French formal garden style is based on a style that developed in the
17th and 18th centuries that promotes the use of symmetry, geometric
patterns, sculptural architecture all along a central axis.
• Other features of the French formal garden include elements of water,
round pools, box-trimmed bushes, parterres (herb gardens), and
arrangements of flowers in neat, tidy configurations. In addition, the
gardens are designed in a way to promote strolling and reflection.
• Other feature may include fountains, multi-level stairways, stairways,
labyrinths, etc. in order to promote the tranquil walk-through and
appreciation of nature.

3. Major Findings
• Some of the major findings of the development process process
included:
• Date gaps between the various items – Some of the items were very
dated and many newer, more recent items were for sale but not within
the collection.
• Lack of online, digital items – Several of the items were not available in
digital format, and there was a lack of eBooks, videos, audiobooks, and
DVDs.
• Lack of items in both French and English, in which the TPL did not focus
on French books, and rather English-only editions. The subject is specific
to French gardens, so it would be presumed that more content would be
available in French.

4. Major Findings
• In addition, there were many items within the collection that weren’t
separated for scholars, and for enthusiasts, as the lines were blurred.
Many of the items crossed-over, but it would be preferable to focus on
French-style gardens and Versailles together for scholars, and those
items for enthusiasts.
• Multiple holdings – Some of the items included multiple holdings,
whereas some others had one or two holdings. In addition, some items
were “Reference only”, and others had no items in “Reference”.
• Irrelevant Items – Some of the items were completely irrelevant to the
subject specific matters, that being French gardens and Versailles. There
were items on American gardens, etc. mixed in.

5. Collection Evaluation
Methods: Weeding
• In order to evaluate my collection, and determine my policy
for removal, the criteria included the following: Condition,
Edition, Relevance, Obtainability, Date, and Language.
• Condition – Is the item in good condition?
• Edition – Is there a newer edition that can be obtained?
• Relevance – Is the item relevant to the topic selected?
• Date – Is the item dated?
• Language – Is the item written in one of the two official
language of Canada?

6. Weeding Process
• Based on the criteria for removal, I attempted to follow the acquisitions
policy outlined in the TPL (Toronto Public Library) website, focusing on
the selection of materials based on the condition, accuracy, currency and
usage.
• Some of these policies include selection based on points of views (that
are current), sourcing materials that shed light on the past, materials
that inform individuals, materials that stimulate the imagine, materials
found in French and English, and materials that are curriculum-related.
• In the weeding process, I examined the suitability, relevance, date,
language, number within the collection, edition, and removed them
accordingly. In addition, I decided to remove many items that were
already located in the stacks, due to their age, but transferred a few
more to the stacks.

7. Collection Evaluation
Methods: Selection
• In order to evaluate my collection, and determine my policy for selection, the
criteria included the following: Relevance to the community, purchase price,
format type, date, and suitability for scholars and enthusiasts (providing a mix).
• Relevance – Is the item relevant to both scholars of landscape architecture and
garden enthusiasts?
• Purchase Price – Is the item within the allotted budget and affordable? How many
items can you still purchase after making one purchase. (preferring to make as
many as possible)
• Date – Is the item current and up-t0-date within the last 5 years?
• Format – Is the item an online resource, eBook, Kindle, or audiobook?
• Language – Does the item come in French?

8. Selection Process
• For the selection process, I consulted various websites, which included
Amazon, Chapters, and other online publishers and attempted to source
materials within my allotted budget of $600.
• I attempted to source materials that were suitable for enthusiasts which
included photographs, illustrations, etc., but also attempted to purchase
used version that were less expensive.
• Items that were published in French, but yet included comprehensive
information were selected, considering that French content is still more
difficult to source than English content, and availability is more limited
from traditional vendors.
• Items were selected that were Kindle, eBook, or electronic over the
paperback versions, and where possible the French version of the eBook.

9. Surprises/Challenges
while developing the
collection• There were several surprises that I encountered while developing the
collection, including the fact that many of the books in the library included
duplicates in several branches, whereas others only included one or two
copies at most. There was a large discrepancy between this, either storing 2
copies or 10 copies.
• Another surprise included the lack of French books, although to some this
might not be as surprising.
• Another surprise included the lack of important titles available for circulation.
There were several items that were not that old that were only located in the
main Reference library. I would definitely consider housing both Reference
and Circulation copies.
• A challenge in developing the collection included attempting to find suitable
materials that were subject-specific in alternate formats. There were many
books, however few DVDs and eBooks.

10. Surprises/Challenges
while developing the
collection• Another challenge included purchasing several materials and staying
within budget. $600 is very limited for public library purchases,
considering the amount of items that I requested.
• Another challenge included attempting to find alternate formats that
were suitable not only for travel enthusiasts, but for landscape
architecture scholars who require more precise information on the style
and history.
• Considering that the subject is specific to Versailles, French gardens, it
was difficult to find content that was Canadian, and exclusively Canadian.

11. Selection Items
• .

12. Sources
• Calle, D. (2018). Garden history, design and inspiration. The good garden.
Retrieved from http://www.thegoodgarden.com/about/
• Campbell, L. (2017, July 10). The 28 most beautiful French gardens. Veranda.
Retrieved from https://www.veranda.com/outdoor-garden/g1134/beautiful-
french-gardens/
• Eye of the Day Garden Centre. (2018). Elements of French garden design.
Retreived from https://www.eyeofthedaygdc.com/2018/03/elements-french-
garden-design/
• French garden design. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.french-
gardens.com/design/frenchgardendesign.php
• Toronto Public Library. (2018). About the Library. Retrieved from
https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/