Collection Analysis.
As a final project for LIS 610 - Collection Management, I was tasked with analyzing a library's collection (by sampling a specific subject area totaling about 100 items) and selecting items for both acquisition and deselection. I prepared a report that summarized how I narrowed down my particular subject area, criteria for weeding/deselection, tools used for selection and acquisition of new materials, and a list of suggested titles to add to the collection.
Subject Area - Journalism & Mass Communications
I chose to sample a portion of the Journalism & Mass Communications materials at Wake Forest University's Z. Smith Reynolds Library. Using a shelf list and circulation statistics provided (very kindly) by the library, I narrowed my sample down to 114 books in the main stacks within the call numbers ranging from PN4775-PN4783.
Criteria for Collection Management and Weeding
I used the Z. Smith Reynolds deselection policy, found on the library's website, and CREW guidelines to determine what items might be weeded from the collection.
Selection Tools
The primary selection tool I used was Baker and Taylor's YPB Library Services, a resource available for academic libraries and which provides lists of recent publications by subject area. I also used subject guides prepared by the University of Pennsylvania Libraries and Indiana Department of Public Instruction (I felt that some of the materials were appropriate for introductory courses at the college level). I also used selected book reviews found through the EBSCO database.
Below is the short presentation I prepared to summarize my collection analysis work:
Subject Area - Journalism & Mass Communications
I chose to sample a portion of the Journalism & Mass Communications materials at Wake Forest University's Z. Smith Reynolds Library. Using a shelf list and circulation statistics provided (very kindly) by the library, I narrowed my sample down to 114 books in the main stacks within the call numbers ranging from PN4775-PN4783.
Criteria for Collection Management and Weeding
I used the Z. Smith Reynolds deselection policy, found on the library's website, and CREW guidelines to determine what items might be weeded from the collection.
Selection Tools
The primary selection tool I used was Baker and Taylor's YPB Library Services, a resource available for academic libraries and which provides lists of recent publications by subject area. I also used subject guides prepared by the University of Pennsylvania Libraries and Indiana Department of Public Instruction (I felt that some of the materials were appropriate for introductory courses at the college level). I also used selected book reviews found through the EBSCO database.
Below is the short presentation I prepared to summarize my collection analysis work: