Collection issues?

[Joyce Valenza]

In your own practice, what are your major issues relating to collection?

[Buffy Hamilton]

I sometimes worry that what is popular in terms of teen fiction may sometimes be a little mature for our audience. Of course, I use all the traditional selection tools, but I actively solicit suggestions from the students. I also check to see what is hot on the Amazon and Barnes and Noble teen lists...sometimes what is popular may be a bit on the racy or adult side, so I feel torn between wanting to give my students what they want to read and wanting to make sure I follow district selection policy. For example, we just purchased some of the Charlaine Harris books because several kids had asked for them, and I saw them on the B&N Teen bestseller list a few weeks ago.

How do you all approach this selection challenge?

[holli buchter]

I am in the middle of putting together an opening day collection for a new high school. What is the right mix of print, digital, databases, etc. It all comes out of the same budget!

[Buffy Hamilton]

Hi Holly! I did the exact same thing back in 2006. Please feel free to email at [e-mail] or [e-mail]. I built my own print collection and had GALE help me develop a custom package of databases and virtual books...they give new school discounts and can offer additional discounts. Every school is different, so I don't think there is one "right" combination or formula. You definitely have to look at your curriculum and the needs/interests of your patrons...will have the opportunity to survey the incoming kids and faculty about their needs/interests?

holli buchter said:

I am in the middle of putting together an opening day collection for a new high school. What is the right mix of print, digital, databases, etc. It all comes out of the same budget!

[holli buchter]

There will be an opportunity for teacher input. The dilemma over print vs nonprint is my biggest challenge at the moment. Differing points of view-traditional school library vs bookstore approach. I would like to see parts of all of that, but not sure we can pull it off.

Buffy Hamilton said:

Hi Holly! I did the exact same thing back in 2006. Please feel free to email at [e-mail] or [e-mail]. I built my own print collection and had GALE help me develop a custom package of databases and virtual books...they give new school discounts and can offer additional discounts. Every school is different, so I don't think there is one "right" combination or formula. You definitely have to look at your curriculum and the needs/interests of your patrons...will have the opportunity to survey the incoming kids and faculty about their needs/interests?

holli buchter said:

I am in the middle of putting together an opening day collection for a new high school. What is the right mix of print, digital, databases, etc. It all comes out of the same budget!

[Buffy Hamilton]

I understand! I did fiction and nonfiction in print, but most of my reference is digital/databases/ebooks. This is what our high school students will encounter in college, and the advantage of virtual format is that you can extend learning 24/7...plus, with digital reference, unlimited users can access the materials. We can't say that for print format! If you need data/info/support, let me know---I can provide it to you.

holli buchter said:

There will be an opportunity for teacher input. The dilemma over print vs nonprint is my biggest challenge at the moment. Differing points of view-traditional school library vs bookstore approach. I would like to see parts of all of that, but not sure we can pull it off.

Buffy Hamilton said:

Hi Holly! I did the exact same thing back in 2006. Please feel free to email at [e-mail] or [e-mail]. I built my own print collection and had GALE help me develop a custom package of databases and virtual books...they give new school discounts and can offer additional discounts. Every school is different, so I don't think there is one "right" combination or formula. You definitely have to look at your curriculum and the needs/interests of your patrons...will have the opportunity to survey the incoming kids and faculty about their needs/interests?

holli buchter said:

I am in the middle of putting together an opening day collection for a new high school. What is the right mix of print, digital, databases, etc. It all comes out of the same budget!

[Wendy Stephens]

I work in a library where there aren't enough computers for a full class to have simultaneous access, so I am still buying a lot of print reference out of pragmatism. "Teacher requirements" are another issue. I will no longer purchase The Occupational Outlook Handbook or CIA World Fact Book since both are available online in their annually updated versions, but teachers still count these as "Internet sources" rather than just seeing them as another way to access the print analog. The whole "print versus nonprint" source issue is a constant tension point with my faculty.

[Elfin]

In our library, we have a very good collection on printed fiction and non-fictions. We have also acquired some latest Japanese manga as a way to attract the reluctant readers. Right now, our school is developing the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which will become an e-platform to enhance the teaching and learning aspects. For me, I am the member represented the LRC. Thanks Joyce's e-book pathfinder. I am trying to embed the e-book links and audiobook links in the VLE LRC area as a way to provide more different formats of books to the students and staff.

Our LRC does not have any database reference such as EBHOST or Proquest so students only rely on printed books or the Internet to do the research. I am very concerned on that issue and reckon that the effectiveness of using the database system as well as the application of information literacy skills highly depends on the collabration between the subject teachers and librarians. For that, I feel sorry that we are still behind the current trend.

[Buffy Hamilton]

Hi! I have been in your shoes with some faculty preferring outdated print versions to the more current web edition. For some of my skeptics, I diplomatically sat down with them ,and we looked at both side by side. Once they saw the web editions were more current and offered greater accessibility, they came around! I know, though, that some faculty are not easily sold on digital content even when it is identical to the print.

Wendy Stephens said:

I work in a library where there aren't enough computers for a full class to have simultaneous access, so I am still buying a lot of print reference out of pragmatism. "Teacher requirements" are another issue. I will no longer purchase The Occupational Outlook Handbook or CIA World Fact Book since both are available online in their annually updated versions, but teachers still count these as "Internet sources" rather than just seeing them as another way to access the print analog. The whole "print versus nonprint" source issue is a constant tension point with my faculty.

[Donna Helvering]

As an administrator who oversees purchases for 40 libraries, I am worried that we are not serving our YA students! A good number of them are voracious readers who see us as a book store instead of a library! In an effort to meet their needs, we have moved from library bound books to the publisher bindings which do not last as long! We are also purchasing many copies of popular titles that may or may not be "hot" reads next year. Thus, we become stuck with copies that take up valuable shelf space. Pressure from our librarians has led me to run to the local book stores to buy multiple copies of popular titles....and get these in kid's hands asap. Having kids coming in to our school libraries....hungry to read....is a great problem to have! But the rest of our collections are beginning to see signs of neglect. Advice???

[Dr. Mary Ann Bell]

I got to do the same thing, for a junior high, a long time ago. A big plus was that prior to moving to the new school our students were in the Jr/sr high across the street. Thus I was able to benefit from looking at the collection there and get ideas. Visiting nearby libraries is a great way to get some pointers, but Buffy is right that your students/faculty are unique and you want to meet their needs. But it is a very exciting and satisfying experience to build a collection. Have fun!

holli buchter said:

I am in the middle of putting together an opening day collection for a new high school. What is the right mix of print, digital, databases, etc. It all comes out of the same budget!

[Patty McClune]

You're right, kids reading is a great problem to have! I'm like you and often run to the book store to supply what's needed. We have a good relationship with local book stores so it works. I'd rather do that than be stuck with multiple copies of shelf-sitters. If the titles aren't brand new could you use interlibrary loan? I think print fiction will still be popular for a long time and expect that collection to keep growing, while reference is definitely moving digital. I've gotten a few kids interested in sharing fiction through shelfari.com. One of them described it as Facebook for librarians and booknerds. IMHO it's "prettier" than librarything and while there's an Amazon connection it's easy to turn off the "sell" feature.

Donna Helvering said:

As an administrator who oversees purchases for 40 libraries, I am worried that we are not serving our YA students! A good number of them are voracious readers who see us as a book store instead of a library! In an effort to meet their needs, we have moved from library bound books to the publisher bindings which do not last as long! We are also purchasing many copies of popular titles that may or may not be "hot" reads next year. Thus, we become stuck with copies that take up valuable shelf space. Pressure from our librarians has led me to run to the local book stores to buy multiple copies of popular titles....and get these in kid's hands asap. Having kids coming in to our school libraries....hungry to read....is a great problem to have! But the rest of our collections are beginning to see signs of neglect. Advice???