Making a Collection Count: A Holistic Approach to Library Collection Management

by Holly Hibner, Mary Kelly

Library collection management is a vital part of any library’s operations. Making a Collection Count takes a holistic look at library collection management, connecting collection management activities and departments, and instructs on how to gather and analyse data from each point in a collection’s lifecycle. Relationships between collections and other library services are also explored. The result is a quality collection that is clean, current, and useful. The second edition includes expanded information on collection metrics, digital collections, and practical advice for managing collections effi ciently when time and resources are tight. It also includesmore real-life examples from practicing librarians in areas such as workflow analysis, collection budgets, and collection management techniques. Chapters cover the life cycle of a collection, understanding workfl ow and collecting metrics. Physical inventory, collection objectives and bookmarks, as well as collection organization, collection budgets and marketing collections are also discussed.

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Professional Development

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Leigh Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads just ate my long, glowing review of this title, so let me put it in a nutshell for you: this is the book you needed back in library school and didn't get, especially the parts on policy writing, vendor negotiation, and collection objectives. Parapros should pick up Crash Course in Collection Development instead. You probably also want a personal copy if you are a director, selector, weeder, or manage any of those people.

Key takeaway: collection development is a CYCLE, with many parts. Hibner and her co-author, Mary Kelly, walk you through all those parts making suggestions along the way. If your collection doesn't improve after taking their advice, it won't be for lack of trying.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book may be helpful for me at work, but I just haven't had time to do more than flip through it. Maybe life will get less crazy and I can borrow it again.