In theory, every library’s collection development policy defines the community it serves as well as the information needs of that community. In practice, what a community needs from its library changes over time, and it’s often challenging to identify and address these changes, especially when working with limited resources. In this session, we will discuss basic collection development principles, review simple tools and concepts that can make it easier to discover what your community needs, and explore practical ways you can recenter your collections work around those needs.
By the end of this session, attendees will:
- Know how to conduct a simple collection analysis to look for patterns in collection use beyond circulation data
- Understand how to combine data analysis with in-person observation
- Feel more confident in their ability to build collections in collaboration with their community
This is Part 1 in a 3-part series. Learn more about Part 2 here, and Part 3 here.
About our presenter: Stephanie Anderson is Assistant Director, Selection, at BookOps, managing the team that selects and orders all circulating collections for the 150 physical locations and two digital collections of the New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library. She is a founding member of LibraryReads, reviews for Kirkus, and is currently researching the history of collection development and readers’ advisory in New York City.