This document summarizes techniques for collection development and management at libraries. It discusses analyzing existing collections, setting criteria to weed materials, identifying gaps, and using reports to manage missing, lost, and circulating items. It also covers building a patron-driven acquisition model using popularity and demand data. The document provides tips for rethinking continuing orders and formats. Finally, it outlines best practices for readers' advisory services, including title and author recommendations, book displays, and custom book lists.

1. FFL COLLECTION
DEVELOPMENT 101
OCPL COLLECTION TASK FORCE
MEETING
11/13/13
Presented by Monica Kuryla, Director of Innovative Information
Access
Fayetteville Free Library

2. Collection Management
Analyze existing collection (at least once a year)
 Set a goal (i.e need to make more room for X, so
would like to create X amount of space)
 Set up criteria for evaluation-ask yourself “what is
reasonable?” (i.e. creation date, last circ, etc.)
 Sample criteria: Physically older than 10 years
Has not circulated in 2-3 years
 Weed based on criteria
 Determine whether to replace lost, m/t copies
 Review gaps in collection (nonfiction, series by
author, classics, etc.)

3. Collection Management cont.
Simply Reports Use for Collection Management
 Identify items in your collection that are in
Missing/Trace or Lost status
 Fixing bad records-call numbers that are
misspelled or wrong
 Weeding-using the criteria of: barcode, call #,
title, item creation date, last circ transaction
date.
 Can be used to identify gaps in the collectiontitles in a series missing, etc.

4. Building a Patron Driven
Acquisition Collection

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Start with the list of bestselling authors (it‟s a sure
thing). Order # of copies based on popularity (i.e. 6
copies for the new James Patterson, etc.)
Analyze stats/Run reports (Simple Reports & Holds
Manager)
Listen to what the readers want, not necessarily what
reviewers say
Simply Reports can be used to determine which titles to
order per format
Sample criteria for purchase:
More than 2 holds by FY patron (pickup)
Additional copies based on >20 holds per title
Holds Manager can be used to identify how long your
patrons have been waiting for a title and whether or not
you have a copy

5. Building a Patron Driven
Acquisition Collection cont.
Familiarize yourself with a variety of sources
by keeping up with the “buzz”:
NPR books, NYT book review, Early Word
blog, Cindy Orr‟s Reader Advisory Online blog,
People magazine, Books on Air-author on talk
shows, etc.
 Anticipate popular topics, including most
anticipated books of the upcoming season,
events (i.e. Catching Fire Movie, etc), books to
film
 Patrons DO judge a book by its cover!


6. What to Rethink
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Continuing Order Plans
Playaways, Large Print, Audio CDs, Print
Reference, Music CDs
Databases
Program costs

7. Readers Advisory
Ways to provide readers advisory service:
1) In person-over the desk interactions and in the stacks conversations
2) Virtual form- a more in depth way to create a customized reading list
3) Opportunities to discover new title independently:
Using in house and virtual displays-readalikes/topical
Print lists-bookmarks/brochures with custom booklists
Virtual lists that link to catalog via the web
Types of readers advisory:

Title readalike (ex. My favorite book was “The Help”…I am looking similar for books)

Author readalike (ex. My favorite author is “Janet Evanovich”….I am looking for
similar authors)

Genre readalike (ex. I am looking for a good British Mystery..)

Book Club pick (ex. I am looking for my next book club pick..)

Custom Book Recommendation (form submitted via email)

8. Readers Advisory Reference
Interview

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Most frequently asked question:
“I am looking for a „good book‟..Do you have any
suggestions?”
Interview Tips:




What is the last book that you read and liked?
Do you have a favorite author?
What are you in the mood for?
Parents of children, spouses/children of seniors
-Ask what genre they might be interested in (do they like humor?,
etc.)
-Don‟t necessarily focus on age for children, but rather get hints of
what author or genre they read in the past.

9. Creating Conversations with
Readers
It‟s about conversation/connection with library- approach readers in the stacks!
For example:
“Are you content to browse or would you like some suggestions?”
“What are you in the mood to read?”
“What are the last 3 books you enjoyed?”-listen for appeal terms

Make connections beyond personal reading-you aren‟t expected to read everything! Awareness
of what is out there is the key.
For example:
“This author is supposed to be the next Steig Larsson..”
“I just finished this and..”
“I read a review that said..”
“I heard and interview on NPR..”
“I have heard a lot about that one..”
“Critics are saying..”


**Invite the reader back to share!**

10. Readers Advisory Resources
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Novelist database
BookBrowse web based subscription
Use displays/booklists
For Book Clubs:
 http://www.litlovers.com/
 http://readinggroupguides.com/content/index.a
sp
 http://www.bookmovement.com/

11. Questions?
Fayetteville Free Library
Homepage: www.fflib.org
Twitter: @fayettevillelib
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fayfreelibrary
Monica Kuryla
Director of Innovative Information Access
mkuryla@fflib.org
@mkuryla
Susan Considine
Executive Director
sconsidine@fflib.org
@sconsidine