The document discusses maintaining excellent collection development at libraries. It defines collection development as part of the life cycle of library materials. It emphasizes considering why and for whom items are being collected when building a collection according to the library's collection policy and procedures. The two-step process for collection development involves examining available items to see if they fit the collection and selecting qualifying items. It also discusses important tools like vendors and reviews, as well as ongoing collection management through weeding and replacing items.

1. Maintaining Excellent
Collection Development
presented by
Jeremy Bolom
Lincoln Parish Library—Ruston, LA

2. What is collection development?
O Definition
O Part of the life cycle of materials.
O And, it’s really FUN!

3. The BIG Picture
Why are you collecting it?
vs.
For whom are you collecting?

4. To build a collection
O Policy
Oor, library collection vision
O Procedures
Oor, what, how and by whom
O Budget
Oor, how much is spent

5. I love a good collection!
O What are you collecting?
O Subjects
O Genres
O Ages
O Formats
O Where do you put it?
O Collections
O Locations

6. Collecting 2‐Step
1. Examine available items for purchase.
O Does it fit in the collection?
O Review performance of similar items.
O For nonfiction: age of last item on subject?
O An item of quality?
O Consider return on investment.
O Ideal location/collection for item?
2. Select item.

7. That dirty little word
Selection
vs.
Censorship

8. Tools of the Trade
O Vendors
O Publishers
O Professional review sources
O Patrons
O Front-line feedback
O ILS reports

9. Tending your collection
Collection Management
O Weeding
O Conservation vs. Replacement
O New collections

10. Questions?
O Resources:
O Johnson, Peggy. Fundamentals of Collection
Development and Management, 3rd ed. Chicago: ALA
Editions, 2014.
O Haycock, Ken and Brook E. Sheldon, eds. The Portable
MLIS: Insights from the Experts. Westport, CT: Libraries
Unlimited, 2008.
O Everyday working knowledge. :-P
Jeremy Bolom—Lincoln Parish Library--Ruston, LA
jbolom@mylpl.org