[Publib] Best strategies for getting to know my collection - sheving seems old-fashioned, but it works!!!

[Preslar, Gail]

There is a reason that medical students spend SO MUCH TIME in HANDS ON medicine learning to be physicians...even a full semester of dissecting a human body...actually cutting it apart, section by section.
Nothing replaces the face time/body time with the human body/patients.

In my opinion, physically touching the items cannot replace any other way of learning the contents of one's library collection.
Checking the items in & out at the circulation desk & sorting for return to the shevles
Shelving the returned from circulation....shelving the new materials....nothing, NOTHING replaces physically touching the items.

As we move to a more virtual collections, this "physically touching" becomes more challenging.

M Gail Preslar, mls                    voice: 423-229-6117
Business Library, B280
Library & Information Services (LIBRIS)
mailto:gpreslar at eastman.com
mailto:buslib at eastman.com             fax: 423-224-0111
postal address:
     Business Library, B280
     Eastman Chemical Company
     Kingsport, TN 37662-5280
This email is a natural hand made product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws.
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Frances Meadows
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 11:04 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [I] RE: [Publib] Best strategies for getting to know my collection

The best way is to shelve, shelve, shelve!  I knew everything we had in our collection.  Patrons would seek me out to find them a book.
Frances Meadows
Magee Public Library


________________________________
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Tom Cooper
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 8:59 AM
To: Nicole Hershberger; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Best strategies for getting to know my collection

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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