[Publib] Best strategies for getting to know my collection

[Tom Cooper]

Another way to get to know the collection, and use your professional
skills at the same time, is to prepare seasonal and/or topical
bibliographies for your patrons. This also helps you spot weaknesses in
the collection. If, for instance, you decide to do a list of good books
on summer activities, and you don't have many, that's good to know. 

 

Tom Cooper, Director 
Webster Groves Public Library 
301 E. Lockwood 
Webster Groves, MO 63119 

(314) 961-3784 
tcooper at wgpl.org 

Do not judge beliefs by their plausibility, but by the harm they may do.

                                             Nassim Nicholas Taleb 

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Nicole Hershberger
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 3:11 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Best strategies for getting to know my collection

 

Hello all!

I am a newly-minted librarian, recently responsible for both the
children's and young adult collections at a well-used suburban library.
Though I've taken courses in children's and YA lit, and read some of it
for pleasure, I'm no expert. And I'm painfully aware of the fact that I
don't know my collection all that well.

"Get to know your collection" shows up constantly in collection
development and outreach guidelines...but how best to do it? I know that
weeding is a good way to do it, but at our library, this is often done
by clerks (and they do a great job of it). I do lots of walkthroughs,
just browsing. And I do talk to the kids who come in as much as
possible. 

I know there's no instant way to become an expert on my collection, and
I'm planning to do continuing education activities and such. Meanwhile,
I do have a budget I need to spend and purchasing decisions to make. So,
great collective mind: what are your best tips for me? What is the
fastest way for me to get to know my collection?

Nicole Hershberger

Children's Librarian

NOPL Cicero

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