Collection Assessment and Management for School Libraries : Preparing for Cooperative Collection Development

by Kachel, Debra E.

• ISBN13: 9780313298530
• ISBN10: 031329853X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-06-30
• Publisher: Libraries Unltd Inc
• More Book Details
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Summary

A leader in cooperative collection development for the school library presents a framework for developing school library collections in today's era of "access vs. ownership" and cooperative resource sharing. This guide provides new tools and techniques for analyzing collections, including "ready-to-use" collection data-gathering forms and collection assessment and analysis worksheets. Also included are examples of a written collection development policy, a selection policy, a copyright policy and procedures, and an Internet use policy. It shows how to map the school curriculum, represent library collections using automated circulation data, and document priorities for the collection. The guide is based on the premise that school library media specialists must have a clear understanding of their collection strengths and needs before participating in cooperative collection development in order to "think globally but act locally." The author provides more than 30 collection assessment tools, worksheets, and exemplary written sample collection policies that have proven effective in school library media centers and can be adapted for use in grades K through 12. Kachel provides both qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze existing collections based on the conspectus approach. Cooperative collection development activities are detailed, including the financial, technical, and human resources needed for success. Methodologies for providing a rich base of resources matching curricular and student needs in a cost-effective and user-relevant fashion enhance the managerial and leadership role of the school library media specialist. For all school library media specialists who plan to analyze and assess their collection and participate in cooperative collection development, this guide provides all the tools necessary to accurately and successfully manage this activity in a cost-effective manner.

Author Biography

DEBRA E. KACHEL is Department Chairperson of School Library Media Services at the Ephrata Area School District in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Figures	ix	(2)
Acknowledgments	xi	(2)
Introduction	xiii
1 Placing Collection Assessment in Context	1	(18)
2 Collection Assessment Techniques	19	(20)
3 Adapting the Conspectus Approach for School Libraries	39	(14)
4 The Written Collection Development Policy	53	(24)
5 Cooperative Collection Development	77	(16)
6 Conclusion	93	(10)
Appendix A Collection Assessment Tools	103	(20)
A1 Collection Size Worksheet for Non-Automated Libraries	105	(1)
A2 Annual Distribution of Acquisitions Worksheet	106	(1)
A3 Annual Rate of Growth Worksheet	107	(1)
A4 Collection Age Worksheet	108	(1)
A5 Circulation Sampling Form for Non-Automated Libraries	109	(1)
A6 Back-Issue Magazine Usage Worksheet	110	(1)
A7 Checklist for the Visual Inspection of Resources	111	(1)
A8 Percent of Relative Use Worksheet for Automated Libraries	112	(1)
A9 In-House Use Study of Non-Circulating Resources	113	(1)
A10 Interlibrary Loan Log--Student and Staff Requests	114	(1)
A11 Interlibrary Loan Log--Loans to Other Libraries	115	(1)
A12 Subject Distribution of ILL Requests--Student and Staff Requests	116	(1)
A13 Interlibrary Periodical Requests--Students and Staff	117	(1)
A14 Interlibrary Periodical Provision to Other Libraries	118	(1)
A15 Distribution of Interlibrary Periodical Requests--Students and Staff	119	(1)
A16 Student Access to Computer Technology Survey	120	(1)
A17 Reference and Research Student Survey	121	(2)
Appendix B Collection Codes--Current Collection, Acquisition Commitment, Collection Goal	123	(4)
Appendix C Collection Assessment Worksheets	127	(14)
C1 Ephrata Senior High School Media Center--Collection Assessment Worksheet	129	(1)
C2 Ephrata Senior High School Media Center--Directions for Using the Collection Assessment Worksheet	130	(4)
C3 Ephrata Area School Libraries--Bergstrasse Elementary 300s Collection Data	134	(1)
C4 Ephrata Area School Libraries--Elementary 300s Collections, 1994-1995 Data	135	(2)
C5 Collection Assessment Worksheet	137	(1)
C6 Ephrata Senior High School Media Center--Collection Analysis Worksheet	138	(1)
C7 Collection Analysis Worksheet	139	(2)
Appendix D Written Collection Policy Documents	141	(54)
D1 Ephrata Area School District--Copyright Material and Administrative Guidelines for Copyright Law Compliance	143	(14)
D2 Sample School Library Collection Development Policy	157	(38)
Appendix E Ephrata Area School Library and Information Services Department Curriculum Mapping Survey	195	(4)
Glossary	199	(4)
Index	203