From: Margaret Devereaux <deverema_at_cayuga-cc.edu>
I have newly returned to the list after an absence of a few years, and
am anxious to hear from seasoned collection development librarians on
this topic. I did a quick search of the archives of the past three
years and didn't see this addressed; if I missed it, please someone
point me in the right direction.
This library is in the process of adjusting to a change of
directorship (we are actually under an interim director right now) and
so are taking this golden opportunity to make some changes in some of
the ways we operate. In the past, selection of materials has been
done primarily by librarians, with minimal input from faculty. Our
professional staff consists of 5 full time librarians (including the
temporarily vacant director's position) in two distant locations. Our
teaching faculty numbers around 75. Our collection is actually quite
strong based on librarian purchases. Because we are such a small
staff, we each spend time on instruction and reference; therefore, we
keep abreast of what students may be seeking to meet their research needs.
Our interim director's way of thinking is that we need to dramatically
increase faculty involvement in the selection process. Therefore, I
am looking for some practical ways to cultivate that. While faculty
have always been welcome and encouraged to make requests for titles
and/or subjects, there is, in fact, very little participation on their
part. In the past, I have disseminated book reviews, publisher's
flyers, tailor-made bibliographies of potential interest, etc., etc.,
with little effect. Occasionally, a few instructors will come to life
and be active for a stretch of time, but participation quickly tapers
off. Over all, this faculty has become quite unconcerned when it
comes to spending their share of the library collections budget.
If any of you have some very concrete and basic activities to
facilitate faculty involvement, I appreciate any and all suggestions.
You may respond to me directly, unless there is sufficient interest
from others on the list. Thanks in advance for your input.
Regards,
Margaret
Margaret Devereaux
Collection Development Librarian
Cayuga Community College
Auburn NY 13021
315.255.1743 ext 2291
deverema_at_cayuga-cc.edu
Received on Thu Oct 23 2003 - 11:22:08 EDT