A Collection Evaluation in 150 Hours

Abstract

Although collection evaluation is an important indicator of whether the other elements of collection management are actually working, it is often overlooked because it requires more time than the average subject selector can spare. The solution is not to discount the evaluation process altogether, but to make it more focused, streamlined, and, ultimately, shorter. A recent collection evaluation at the University of Alabama libraries, conducted as part of an internship in the School of Library and Information Studies, was completed in 150 hours. The results of the study were presented to the subject selector, who could then interpret the data in her collection strategy. By using the results of an evaluation to adjust the vendor profile of a collection, or re-establish contact with the departments being served, an evaluation can ultimately save the library money.

Key Words:

• internship
• library school
• academic libraries
• MLIS
• use-centered methods
• collection-centered methods