Novice Guide

​Welcome to the exciting world of collection development! This guide is crafted for those who are new to the field of librarianship, perhaps volunteers, staff members, or even curious community members who have not formally studied library science. Let's dive into the basics of how libraries decide which books and resources to have on their shelves and how they keep their collections vibrant and useful.

​What is Collection Development?

Collection development is like curating a museum exhibit, but for library materials. It's the process of deciding what to add, what to keep, and what to remove to make sure the library’s collection is useful and enjoyable for the community it serves.

​Core Principles of a Good Library Collection

  1. Relevance: The books and resources need to be what people want and need. Think about what might be useful for homework, hobbies, self-help, or just a good read.
  2. Diversity: Just like people, books come in all sorts of perspectives and experiences. A good collection has a mix of voices and viewpoints.
  3. Balance: For every topic, especially the controversial ones, it’s important to have materials that present different sides of the argument.
  4. Quality: Look for materials that are well-made, factually correct, and well-reviewed.
  5. Accessibility: Everyone should be able to use the materials, so consider books in large print, audiobooks, or digital formats that work with screen readers.

​Crafting a Collection Development Policy

​Think of this as the rulebook for making decisions. It guides what to buy based on what the community is like. It talks about who decides what to buy and what to do if a book is worn out or no one reads it anymore.

​Choosing What to Add to the Collection

  • Professional Journals: These are magazines that review lots of books and resources, helping librarians make smart choices.
  • User Requests: If a lot of people are asking for a book, that’s a good sign it should be in the collection.
  • Circulation Data: This is a fancy way of saying “what things get checked out the most.” It helps to know what's popular or not.

​Sticking to the Budget

​Libraries have to be smart with their money. They decide how much to spend on different types of books and keep track of spending to avoid going over budget. Sometimes, they can get extra funding through grants or donations.

​Bringing in New Materials

​Once a book is chosen, there's a process to order, receive, and get it ready for the shelves. If it's an e-book or an online resource, the library has to make sure it works well with the library's computers and is easy for patrons to access.

​Tidying Up the Collection: Weeding

​This is not about gardening but about making space for new materials by removing outdated or damaged ones. Librarians use guidelines to decide what goes and what stays, and there are respectful ways to handle items that are being removed.

​Special Tips for Digital Stuff

​E-books and online databases are tricky because they can have rules (Digital Rights Management or DRM) about how they can be used. Also, they need to be maintained so that they don't become unusable over time (think about how quickly technology changes!).

​Checking Up on the Collection

​Librarians regularly look at the collection to see what’s working and what’s not. They use things like surveys or checkout data to get a sense of what to change.

​Keeping Librarians in the Know

​Just like any profession, librarians need to keep learning. They attend workshops and read up on new trends to make sure their skills and knowledge are up to date.

​Staying on the Right Side of the Law and Ethics

​There are rules about what you can do with books and information, especially when it comes to copying them or making them available online. Plus, librarians stand up for everyone’s right to read and access information freely.
​Remember, collection development is about making the library a welcoming space with resources that reflect and serve the needs of its community. With this guide, you'll be well on your way to understanding the basics of how libraries manage their most valuable asset: their collections.