MSL Home > For Librarians > Training > Online Classes > Collection Development > Introduction

Introduction

Overview of Collection Development

Collection development is the broad term used for selecting items for the library, weeding items, responding to patron concerns about the library's collection, and assessing that collection. Collection development is also known as collection management. Essentially you are managing and caring for your collection when you are practicing collection development. This process is an art and takes time to learn. In this overview, we define some of the common terms used in collection development. Many of these terms will be revisited in later sections of the class.

Objectives

Before we define the terms, here are our objectives for this class

  • Understand the different parts of collection development including: selection, weeding, intellectual freedom, assessment, etc.
  • Learn about writing and/or updating the collection development policy
  • Learn about assessing the collection
  • Learn about weeding
  • Learn about selecting items for the library
  • Understand intellectual freedom issues and how to respond to challenges

Glossary of Terms

Acquisitions - process of purchasing books. It is not considered to be a part of collection development, but I mention it here because it is a crucial next step when selecting books.

Challenges - when someone asks to have an item removed from the library or placed in a restricted section.

Collection Assessment - taking a closer look at your collection to see how old it is or whether or not it meets your community's needs. Assessment is also used to set goals for your collection.

Collection Development Policy - the formal document that describes how you handle the library's collection.

Deselection - the formal term for weeding

Intellectual Freedom - protecting people's right to information and their right to read and believe in what they choose

Selection - purchasing books, cds, videos, electronic databases, or other items for the library

Weeding - removing items from the library.

Homework

Each section will have a small piece of homework. As much as possible I've tried to make this homework relevant to your library. My reason for adding homework is simple. It gives you a chance to apply what you've learned directly to your work

The assignment for this section is to find one article about any aspect of collection development and read it. My contact info is Maggie Meredith.