Collection Development

This course satisfies a requirement for certification in WI and IN. To find out if it fulfills a requirement in your state, check with your state library agency.

This course covers collection development and management in all types of libraries and information centers. Learn to identify, select, acquire, and evaluate a collection of library resources (e.g., print materials, audiovisual materials, electronic resources) for a community of users.

Topics covered:

• What is collection management?
• Needs assessment and community analysis
• Collection development policies
• Selection and review sources for books and other formats
• Serials (print and electronic), other electronic resources, licensing issues
• Collection budgets, acquisitions, and vendors
• Evaluating the collection
• Weeding/deselection
• Conservation/preservation
• Cooperation and resource sharing
• Digitized library collections
• Censorship and challenges
• Impact of electronic resources on print collections and user behavior

Expectations:

There are weekly topics, with related discussion questions. Students are expected to participate in the online discussion area for each of the topics posted. There is also one written assignment, a selection exercise.

Textbook:

Johnson, Peggy. Fundamentals of Collection Development and Management. ALA, 2004. OR Johnson, Peggy. Fundamentals of Collection Development and Management, 2nd ed. ALA, 2009.

Instructor:

Jane Pearlmutter, associate director of UW-Madison School of Library and Information Studies, conducts frequent workshops and courses on collection development and library management issues.