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Department of Library and Information Studies

LIS 615 - Collection Development Course Prospectus
Prerequisites:   None.
Textbook:

G. Edward Evans, Developing Library and Information Center Collections. 5th ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 2003.
Course Description:

Study of the principles and procedures involved in the building of library collections, including collection development, collection evaluation, and collection maintenance.  (3 s.h.)
Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, the learner will be able to:

  • Verbalize the role of collection management with relation to other library and information activities.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and purposes of collection management.
  • Recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the various tools available for selection of library materials.
  • Articulate through verbal and written means, current library issues involving collection management and their impact on the library's collections.

Discuss the social and technological forces influencing the management of library collections.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance and participation/Online Discussion (30% of Grade)

As a part of attendance and participation, the student will be required to take part in class or threaded discussions to contribute your experience and knowledge to the class. The extent to which the student participates will determine the grade for this requirement. Students will be evaluated on how effectively they incorporate what they have seen and learned into discussions and writing assignments. Each unexplained non-participation will result in a half-grade reduction.

Term Paper (25% of grade)

During Session 1 or Session 2, the student is required to select a topic relating to collection management, in consultation with the instructor. (A list of previous topics is provided at the end of the syllabus as a guide.) Papers must be edited for typographical and grammatical errors. The student may be asked to act as a resource person for the topic chosen, and will present the interesting findings to the class during an appropriate class session. The paper is due during Session 13

Examinations (45% of grade)
Exam 1 will cover Course Outline Sections A through C after Session 5. Exam 2 will cover Course Outline Sections D through F after Session 8. Exam 3 will cover Course Outline Sections G through M (due at the end of Session 15). Each examination will count as 15% of the final grade.

Course outline:
A. The Library in its environment
1. Needs assessment for collections
2. Research in collection management
3. Institutional framework
4. Collaboration and sharing
5. Standards and guidelines
B. Types of libraries
1. Public libraries
2. School library/media centers
3. Special libraries
4. Academic libraries
a. Community colleges
b. Colleges
c. Universities
5. Information centers
C. Collection development policies
1. Design requirements
2. Subject structure
3. Levels of collection
4. Gifts and exchange
5. Deselection or weeding
6. Evaluation of collections
D. Selection processes
1. Demand vs. quality
2. Criteria for judging materials
3. Selection requirements for all materials
E. Acquisitions
1. Suppliers
2. Requests for proposals
3. Methods of acquiring/accessing information
F. Publishers and publishing
1. Types of publishers
2. Production and new technologies
3. Producers and the Internet

G. Marketing; budgeting for collections
1. Marketing by publishers
a. Publisher's strategies
b. Collection manager's strategies
2. Budgeting for collections
a. Budgeting for print materials
b. Budgeting for electronic materials
c. Other
H. Collection evaluation
1. Statistical methods
2. Usage studies
3. Other research methodologies
I. Deselection or weeding
J. Censorship
1. Confidentiality and patron's rights
2. Reconsideration requests
3. Selection vs. censorship
K. Copyright
1. Impact on developing collections
2. Impact on resource sharing and interlibrary lending
3. Newest legislation and its impact
L. Conservation and preservation
1. Materials conservation/preservation 2. Methods 3. Considerations
M. Collection management in the future
1. Information architecture and change
2. Issues for future access 3. Concerns about future access 4. Predictions

Page updated: 22 - October - 2007
Webmaster: Katherine Sun

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Department of Library and Information Studies, UNCG
349 Curry Building, PO Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
Tel: (336)334-3477
FAX (336)334-5060
EMAIL cpfelts@uncg.edu