Collection Building

Jennifer Benedetto Beals; Ron Gilmour

2007 Collection Building

doi: 10.1108/01604950710831898

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficacy of the brief test method and OCLC's WorldCat Collection Analysis (WCA) in analyzing strengths and weaknesses of collections in three academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach – Monographic collections in zoology were assessed in the study, using both the brief test method and WCA at three institutions. Findings – The paper finds that both the brief test and WCA provide valuable insight into collection strengths and weaknesses. Research limitations/implications – This is an analysis of only one subject area and one format. Further studies might focus on other disciplines and might take into account a variety of formats. Practical implications – The study suggests ways in which collection managers might gain a better knowledge of their collection for such purposes as cooperative collection development and preservation. Originality/value – Since WCA is a newly available tool, there are few studies using this methodology. This adds to the limited literature on the brief test methodology.

Jamie Ellis

2007 Collection Building

doi: 10.1108/01604950710831906

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain the procedures taken by public library staff in response to extensive damage to a research collection due to a large natural disaster. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the methodology used by one research collection in response to a large‐scale disaster, recommendations are presented in the paper for future disaster planning and creating an individualized disaster response. Findings – The study finds that each institution develops different procedures in the wake of disasters, and creating a unique disaster plan and response is key to the successful recovery of collections. Research limitations/implications – The methods used in response to Hurricane Katrina may not necessarily correspond to other types of disasters or all institutions; however, planning for all types of disasters is encouraged. A selected bibliography is included that provides current resources on the subject. Practical implications – Methods utilized in the Biloxi Public Library's response to Hurricane Katrina and lessons learned may be applicable to other institutions and the future of disaster response and collection recovery. Originality/value – While recounting the impact of Hurricane Katrina on one collection, there are recommendations for the future of disaster planning at the institutional level.

Zao Liu

2007 Collection Building

doi: 10.1108/01604950710831915

Purpose – This paper aims to study the scholarly communication of educational psychology by exploring its intellectual structure and general journal citation patterns. Design/methodology/approach – Journal citation data were collected from Journal Citation Reports for 2004‐2005. The structure of the subject relatedness of the journals was created through a cluster analysis using the cosine as its measure. The general citation patterns were discussed in terms of cited and citing frequencies and related ratios. Findings – Six clusters of journals were identified, including general educational psychology/learning/literacy, school psychology, measurement and counseling, Germany‐based educational psychology, creativity, and the other. The following general citation patterns emerged in the study: a small number of journals accounted for a relatively high percentage of the intra‐disciplinary citations; the majority of the selected journals cited more than being cited in the field; the major general educational psychology journals, most school psychology journals, all Germany‐based journals, and creativity journals had higher level of concentration in the field than others; and journals with high cited and citing frequencies and high cited/citing ratios did not necessarily have high level of concentration in the field. Research limitations/implications – Given the broad scope of educational psychology, the study was limited to the journals included in the educational psychology category of Journal Citation Reports . Practical implications – Libraries may benefit from the study results for collection development in educational psychology. Prospective authors may use the information to enhance their publishing opportunities. Academic administrators may use the citation information for promotion and tenure review. Originality/value – The study revealed the subject relatedness and general citation patterns of educational psychology journals in a large context. The visual and quantitative presentation of the citation patterns is conducive to the understanding of educational psychology as a discipline.

William C. Gibbons

2007 Collection Building

doi: 10.1108/01604950710831924

Purpose – This paper aims to identify a variety of titles and resources to offer both public and academic librarians guidance in establishing and maintaining a definitive core collection of past and present materials. Design/methodology/approach – The annotated bibliography includes CD recordings, films, documentaries, serials, monographs and web sites on rap music and hip‐hop culture. The entries chosen were culled from rap music periodicals, reference works, catalogs and journals. Findings – These resources showcase the innovation of rap's formative years. They trace the broad scope of rap musical styles and document and critique hip‐hop culture. Originality/value – These selected titles capture distinctive periods in hip‐hop history and help librarians stay current and conscious of what to include in their collections as rap becomes more mainstream and more respectable.

Christopher Shaffer

2007 Collection Building

doi: 10.1108/01604950710831933

Purpose – This paper aims to discusses the importance of Native American literature in library collections. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on research of recent articles. Findings – The paper identifies many good titles on Native Americans that deserve to be in libraries so that the history and culture of Native Americans will be available to all users. Practical implications – Libraries should identify good quality books on Native Americans and by Native Americans to add to their collections. Many are now available so that it is not difficult to find appropriate ones that reflect contemporary views of Native Americans. Originality/value – This paper pulls together a good deal of recent information on books by and about Native Americans as well as pointing to some excellent collections.

Devon Greyson

2007 Collection Building

doi: 10.1108/01604950710831942

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an historical perspective and current guidance for youth librarians collecting graphic novels for teens. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides a brief review of the historical issues involved with censorship/intellectual freedom and comics and of current teen‐oriented graphic novels with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning of sexual orientation (GLBTQ) content in Canada and the USA. It also provides a context for negotiating intellectual freedom and collection management policy issues, and suggestions for targeted acquisitions of teen graphic novels with GLTBQ content. Findings – The paper provides a brief overview of US and Canadian censorship of comics, including how this legacy affects today's market. It recognizes the difficulty of obtaining information and recommendations for teen‐appropriate graphic novels containing GLBTQ content, and makes suggestions for core collection items. Research limitations/implications – Only English sources from the USA and Canada are reviewed. Francophone Canadian literature is relevant but outside of the scope of this paper. Practical implications – The paper is a useful source of information for the librarian looking for collection development suggestions, and/or for the librarian dealing with or preparing against intellectual freedom challenges to graphic novels or GLBTQ material for teens. Originality/value – This paper furthers discussion of censorship of graphic novels and of GLBTQ material, and provides concrete suggestions to librarians developing a teen graphic novel collection. The issue is timely, as the graphic novel industry is booming and the ALA has documented an increasing number of challenges to graphic novels in libraries. Few previous papers on graphic novels or comics have included Canadian content, although the Canada‐American library worlds, publishing industries and legal codes are historically and currently intertwined.

Vivian Howard

2007 Collection Building

doi: 10.1108/01604950710831951

Purpose – This paper seeks to describe the Canadian Library Association's 2007 pre‐conference, Collections 2007: Reinvigorating Collection Development and Management. Design/methodology/approach – This paper summarizes the various papers, describing actual collections practices in a variety of library and information center settings that made up the CLA Collections pre‐conference. Findings – The paper finds that collections development activities in academic, public and special libraries are characterized by a diversity of approaches and methods. Originality/value – This paper provides a brief summary of some of the practical approaches to collections building in a variety of library and information center settings.