Library Collections and Selection

Summary

This video highlights the extensive collections available at the library, ranging from books, music CDs, and DVDs to digital resources like e-books, streaming music, and online databases. It explains how patrons can request specific materials to be added to the collection through an online form. Selection librarians review these requests, considering factors such as reviews, local relevance, and the overall library collection. The video also discusses Peak Picks, a program offering popular materials for walk-in patrons, and the challenges of navigating the vast publishing world to select the best content for library users.

Takeaways

• 😀 Collections at the library include books, music CDs, DVDs, magazines, and a wide range of online resources such as databases and e-books.
• 😀 The library offers online services for patrons to request specific items they cannot find in the collections.
• 😀 The selection librarian reviews requests based on various criteria, such as reviews, local connections, and overall need for the collection.
• 😀 Peak Picks is a program that provides copies of popular materials for immediate borrowing at library branches, without the ability to place holds.
• 😀 The library monitors a variety of media sources, including the book, publishing, and library industries, to stay up to date with trends.
• 😀 Making decisions as a selection librarian can be challenging due to the vast size of the publishing world and the book industry.
• 😀 In 2017, over a million self-published books were released, creating additional selection considerations for librarians.
• 😀 The role of a selection librarian is to identify high-interest materials for patrons and ensure these materials are added to the library's collections.
• 😀 The library uses a review system for materials to determine whether they should be added to the collection, considering factors like popularity and uniqueness.
• 😀 The library's collections are continuously updated to serve the community's evolving needs and preferences.
• 😀 The library aims to provide a diverse and accessible range of resources to all patrons through both physical and digital collections.

Q & A

What does the term 'collections' refer to in the context of the library?

In the context of the library, 'collections' refers to a variety of materials available across all library locations, including physical items like books, books on CD, music CDs, DVDs, and magazines, as well as digital resources such as e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming music, movies, and digital magazines. It also includes access to online databases like Consumer Reports and lynda.com.

How can patrons suggest materials that are not in the library's collection?

Patrons can suggest materials that are not currently in the library's collection by filling out an online form. This form allows them to provide details about the item they would like to see added.

What factors does a selection librarian consider when deciding whether to add a new item to the library collection?

A selection librarian considers several factors when deciding whether to add an item to the library collection, including reviews of the material, its local relevance, whether other libraries have it, and whether it fills a gap in the overall library collection.

What is the Peak Picks program, and how does it work?

The Peak Picks program is designed to offer popular materials that are available immediately for patrons to browse when they visit the library branches. These materials cannot be placed on hold, and the goal is to ensure that there is always something of interest for visitors.

What role does monitoring media play in the selection process for the library?

Monitoring media, particularly in the book, publishing, and library industries, is a key part of the selection process. The library reads reviews and keeps track of trends to help identify materials of high interest to patrons.

Why is it challenging for a selection librarian to make decisions about what to add to the library collection?

The challenge lies in the vast size of the publishing world and the book industry, which makes it difficult to keep up with all the potential new materials. In 2017, for example, over a million self-published books were released, adding to the complexity of selecting the best materials for the library.

How does the library decide whether self-published books should be added to the collection?

While the script does not explicitly mention a special process for self-published books, it can be inferred that selection librarians would apply the same criteria used for all materials, such as good reviews, local relevance, and whether the book fills a gap in the collection.

What is the purpose of the library's online databases like Consumer Reports and lynda.com?

The library provides access to online databases like Consumer Reports and lynda.com as part of its digital collection. These databases offer patrons valuable resources for research, learning, and making informed decisions in various areas.

What does the library's system for acquiring new materials aim to achieve?

The library's system for acquiring new materials aims to ensure that the collection remains relevant, diverse, and high-quality by considering factors such as public interest, local connections, and availability in other libraries.

What was one of the key challenges the selection librarian mentioned regarding choosing materials for the library?

One of the key challenges mentioned was the overwhelming size of the publishing industry. With over a million self-published books in 2017 alone, it is a daunting task for selection librarians to sift through all the options to select the most relevant and high-interest materials for the library's patrons.