ACQNET: RE - Acquisitions question for a small public library

Date:  Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:23:16 -0400 (EDT)
From:  Freya Anderson <freya.anderson_at_alaska.gov>
Subject:  RE - Acquisitions question for a small public library

I've never worked in a small public, rather in academic, large public
and special libraries.  But I have worked as a part of staffs which
include full- and part-time librarians, so thought I would chime in with
my $0.02.  In my experience, collection development has always been the
opposite of what you describe, with one full-time librarian coordinating
and the rest of the full-time staff (the amount of that rest has varied
dramatically) covering specific subject areas.  In my experience,
part-time staff may help as they can, suggesting titles, looking over
books for approval, or working on special projects, like weeding a
specific collection or subject area, or coming up with a list to beef up
an area. 

I think that any way of dividing collection development can work well,
as long as someone is coordinating, training is provided if necessary,
and no one is too overloaded. It does seem to me that often full-time
staff might have more of a feel for their clientele, since they
presumably spend more time with them at varying times, but I can
certainly imagine cases where this might not be true. I think that the
training aspect is important too.  Often, new staff are expected to know
how to choose materials, but I found that it was covered little in my
library school, beyond developing a policy.  Whether training is formal,
or a more informal mentoring situation, I think it can make any
transition go more smoothly.  

Freya

**************************
Freya Anderson
Head, Public Services
Alaska State Library     
PO Box 110571
Juneau, AK 99811-0571
Phone: 907-465-2942, Fax: 907-465-2665


===========================
Original message: 

Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:47:11 -0400
From: Polly Bonnett (Sierra Madre PL) <pbonnett_at_sierramadre.lib.ca.us>
Subject: Acquisitions question for a small public library

Hello,

I'm hoping to gain your collective wisdom. We are a small library 
(serving 11,000), with 3 full-time Librarians and several part-time 
Librarians. Are collection development responsibilities and 
acquisitions reside with the part-time Librarians. 
We are in the process of shifting responsibilities 
(or transferring/sharing collection development to help with the 
workload). Are any of you in a similar position, or have similar 
staffing? How do you handle your collection development? Thanks so 
much in advance for any experience and wisdom
you can share.

Polly

Polly Bonnett
Associate Librarian
Sierra Madre Public Library
440 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
(626) 355-7186 x105
pbonnett_at_sierramadre.lib.ca.us



--------------------------------------------------------------
For information about ACQNET's editorial policies,
how to subscribe/unsubscribe, and access to Archives, see:

 http://www.acqweb.org

--------------------------------------------------------------