Crash Course in Collection Development
2nd Edition
by Wayne Disher
September 2014, 139pp, 8 1/2 x 11
1 volume, Libraries Unlimited

Paperback: 978-1-61069-813-9
$50, £39, 44€, A69
eBook Available: 978-1-61069-814-6
Please contact your preferred eBook vendor for pricing.

Acquire the skills you need to successfully manage your public library collection from this primer written for amateurs and novices alike.

This indispensable resource provides tools for collection management in public libraries, featuring essential strategies for inventory assessment, market analysis, budgeting, marketing, and customer service. This book is a must-have for those just entering the field or professionals in need of a refresher in effective library operations.

This professional volume covers all aspects of collection development and management in the public library, from gathering statistics to design a collection that meets community needs, to selecting materials, managing vendor relations, understanding the publishing industry, and handling complaints. Author Wayne Disher provides public librarians—especially those without the benefit of academic training—access to the tools to make them successful, and their collections beneficial to the public they serve.

The second edition features two new chapters on digital curation and cooperative collection development. Additional updates include helpful information on infographics, more budgeting formulas, and a section on core collections, as well as content covering eBooks, electronic storage, and digital rights management. Chapters discuss subjects such as marketing the collection to patrons, book repair, and handling censorship issues when collections are challenged.

Features

  • Provides a current and basic overview of collection development in the public library
  • Describes how to assess community needs and create a collection that meets those needs
  • Offers insightful guidelines for writing a collection development policy
  • Shows librarians how to identify non-users
Wayne Disher is professor of library and information science at San Jose State University. Previously, he was director of library services at Hemet Public Library, CA, and served as president of the California Library Association. His published works include ABC-CLIO's Crash Course in Public Library Administration and the first edition of Crash Course in Collection Development. Disher holds a master's degree in library and information science from San Jose State University.

Reviews

"Public librarians and staff with collection development responsibilities would benefit most from this book, but those in other types of libraries would benefit as well. It is a well-rounded text about collection development and many basic principles, such as collection assessment and evaluation, collection development policies, budgets, selecting for your unique audience, utilizing reviews and reviewing sources, and mending and preserving. It would also serve as a good textbook for an introductory collection development library course. I would recommend this book to librarians and staff with little to no experience in collection development, librarians and staff needing a refresher course on collection development, and library school students."—Technical Services Quarterly, September 1, 2015

"This text fulfills its objectives well. . . . This book will enable the nascent collection development librarian to get started selecting, ordering, evaluating, budgeting, marketing, and asking good questions of colleagues."—Technicalities, December 3, 2015
?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Accept All Cookies | Decline.