Knowledge Resources Discussion #2: What is a Collection?
08 September 2023
Using the readings, give a brief description of a "collection" that describes how you are thinking about collections right now. Then, list 8-10 things that might be appropriate for a library collection. Get creative!
A collection is an array of materials strategically selected through a rigorous process aided by various advisory resources, accommodating any financial or policy considerations, and made readily accessible for a specific community. Due to the changing media landscape, modern collections are generally comprised of a foundation of older, more professionally curated materials now bolstered by a multimedia assemblage tailored specifically to the needs/requests/demands of their patrons. As such, a great opportunity for any modern collection with the resources would be to provide patrons with opportunities to try out items and/or activities that they would have to pay a significant amount of money to access, or simply wouldn't be able to otherwise.
Outside of the typical printed and digital books and magazines, other suitable items for a collection could be:
- Portable wi-fi hotspots (almost essential if you're situated near any rural populations in my experience)
- Laptops and/or tablets (ditto)
- Compact scanners (for anyone needing to digitize their own collections without having to cart everything to a physical location)
- Field games (cornhole, giant dice and/or board games, all the -mintion variations, etc.)
- Craft kits and art supplies (for anyone who goes "hm, I should try x artsy thing" when stumbling upon an applicable book)
- Seed banks (for seed exchanges or letting patrons grow their own food)
- Binoculars and/or magnifying glasses (for anyone checking out any sort of nature guidebook)
- Videogames (individual discs/cartridges at least, as circulating actual modern consoles between patrons seems like a metaphorical minefield)
On a slightly contrarian sidenote, I'm wondering if anyone has encountered any items in their research that they think shouldn't be in a library collection? The idea of using kitchen equipment someone else has sounds a little repulsive, even if they'll be heavily cleaned in between uses (though I wouldn't say no to an opportunity to try a rice cooker or air fryer); and the idea of renting out wall art or decorations to patrons seems frivolous if they aren't made for a specific holiday or something.
References
Johnson, P. (2018). Fundamentals of collection development and management (4th ed.). American Library Association.