Inventorying a Library Collection—One After Thirty Years, and One After Two Years (original) (raw)
Related papers
Conducting and Using an Academic Library Data Inventory
Technical Services Quarterly, 2016
This article describes the need for and the processes used to create an inventory of data collected by an academic library. The study uses a survey augmented by multiple interviews to create and populate an inventory of data. The study was able to identify and sort sources of data generated by library personel based on type of data (demographic, location, log, qualitative, and quantitative) and library division. It indicated the frequency of data collection and use, as well as where the data was stored. Finally, the inventory also identified types of data that are not currently collected but that librarians would like to collect. The article indicates how the data inventory may be used to support planning and improve library operations.
How a New Library System Changed the Way We Think about Acquisitions and Collection Development
"Roll With the Times, or the Times Roll Over You", 2017
Franklin & Marshall College (F&M) is a small undergraduate institution with a full-time equivalent (FTE) of approximately 2,400 students. In the summer of 2016, the library migrated to Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) WorldShare Management System (WMS). This change to a cloud-based library system gave us an opportunity to consider new ways of doing cataloging, circulation, and acquisitions. This presentation will primarily discuss the changes that were implemented to the allocation of funds for ordering materials and the impact of those changes, including the way we now approach collection development.
Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 2016
An AARL paper in 1989 explored collection measurement and evaluation in the context of the Collection Development Policy prepared by the State Library of New South Wales (SLNSW). The paper referred to the proposed use of the Research Libraries Group (RLG) Conspectus as a tool for collection evaluation within Australia; fledgling cooperative collection development concepts emerging within Australia in association with the growing use of the Australian Bibliographic Network (ABN); and, the emphasis on accountability and performance management emerging within the public sector. What has changed since? Practically everything including library user behaviour, collection content formats, approaches to information resource discovery and management and the nature of the library itself. What is a library today? The term 'library' by definition still refers to a collection of books used for reading or study, or to the building or room in which such a collection is kept. But knowledge banks, learning hubs, research repositories, digital media laboratories, scholars' portals, information resource centres, 3D printing services, cyberspaces, cultural destinations, 24-hour bookstores, coffee shops, pop-up learning commons, data visualisation laboratories and social collaboratories are also libraries or can in some circumstances be regarded as such. What is the role of the library collection in this context? How have libraries responded to the changes? What approaches are being taken to collection evaluation and collaboration today? Behaviour of library clients Developments in information technology and communication have changed the role of the Library and its collections. So too has changed behaviour of library clients. Library users blend formal and informal learning, seek ideas, inspiration and information, research problems, watch movies and videos or listen to podcasts, and read and review print and online resources. All exchange information via SMS, email and social media. While most people still think libraries are important, that libraries level the playing field for those without vast resources and that people still read books, they also think that libraries have re-branded themselves as technology hubs. Library users identify as learners and seek
In May, 2006, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Library submitted a project proposal titled "Automation of the KNUST Library system toward effective science and technology research" to the Teaching and Learning Innovation Fund (TALIF) to solicit funding to undertake a library automation project. The idea to automate its services, resources and operations is part of the re-engineering processes by the KNUST Library to provide the platform to offer efficient and effective eservice to its ever growing users. In November, 2006, the project contract was awarded to Nala Consultancy Services for work to commence. Currently the automation process, according to the systems librarian, is about ninety percent complete. With the completion of the automation network it was imperative to feed it with the necessary data to make it operational. Starting from 11th May, 2009 to August, 2009, the Library embarked on a seventy day massive exercise of stocktaking, relabeling, bar coding and accessioning of the library resources to generate the requisite data. Stocktaking or stock inventory is done for various reasons. According to New South Wales Department of Education and Training (2000) and Braxton (2004) stock is taken, among other reasons, to assess, control and evaluate the resources; track purchases, losses and disposals; to provide information on weaknesses in the collection that need redressing; measure the collection numbers, age and ratio: student; examine each resource and determine its future based on age, relevance, currency and condition, which may include repair, replacement, disposal or cleaning, to ensure that attractive, up-todate resources are available to users; and prioritize future purchases and begin sourcing these. Reporting on the stocktake project of the Whitireia Community Polytechnic, New Zealand, Parker (2007) expounds on the aim, preparation and planning, method, results and problems of the project. She ends with a nine-point recommendation. The highlights of the project are that it was aimed at identifying the amount of loss since 2000 (the last stocktake) and to match shelves with the catalogue. Stocktake was done mainly electronically and during the quiet Christmas period. A missing rate of 3%, items without records, records with no items, items shelved incorrectly, incorrectly entered items, some new items not found were some of the identified problems. She recommends the continuation of the four year cycle stocktaking, "although high-use and high loss areas could be sooner" Accession is a unique sequential number given to each new book, magazine subscription, or recording as it is entered in the catalog of a library. If an item is removed from the collection, its number is usually not reused for new items (Wikipedia, 2010). An accession number is unique to each material and normally used to ascertain the volume of library stock at any given time. Drawing from her previous bar coding project experience, Laudau (2001) advises libraries and librarians that "bar coding a library is an intricate process that requires foresight and planning". She observes that some of the issues to consider in addressing the subject matter are setting out procedures, placement of the bar codes, utilizing volunteers and selecting equipment". Laudau further stipulates that two major reasons may inform bar coding. These are to establish an automated checkout system and to having inventory control of collection. The accessioning and stock taking exercise in the KNUST Library, as the project was dubbed, was primarily meant to generate accession records from which accession register and subsequently Online Public Access Cataloguing (OPAC) were to be