LIBR 266-03
Collection Management
Fall 2005

Instructor: Erlinda Estrada
E-mail
Please begin the e-mail subject line with “266-(subject)”

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Textbooks | Course Requirements

The access code for the Blackboard site will be sent to those enrolled in the class via the MySJSU messaging system on August 19. The Blackboard site will open for self-enrollment on August 21

Course Description

• Study of collection management in all types of libraries and information centers.
• Includes analysis of information needs, criteria for selection, collection use evaluation, and resources for collection development.
• Prerequisites: LIBR 202, 204

Course Objectives

Collection management is both an art and a science. At the completion of this course the student will be able to:

• Identify current and potential users of a library/information center.
• Assess a library/information center’s collection in terms of how well it meets the needs of the patrons/community it serves.
• Create a collection development policy and implementation plan based on assessed needs while staying within an allotted budget.
• Understand broader issues affecting collection management such as copyright, censorship, selection/licensing of electronic resources, and unstable funding.

This course should provide the student with practical tools to use in the real world, not just theory. I spent several years “in the trenches” as a collection development librarian and hope to share with you what I learned.

This course supports the following objectives from the School’s Teaching Goal:

Teaching students the major theories, important principles, and current practice in: Information management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination and utilization of information resources.

Textbooks

Required Text
Evans, G. Edward. Developing library and information center collections, 4th ed. Greenwood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 2000. ISBN: 1-56308-832-0 (paperback)

NOTE: A 5th edition of this book will be published soon.   However it will not be available in time for this semester, so please don’t order it!!!!  

You can purchase this textbook at http://www.spartanbookstore.com, http://www.lu.com, or your favorite bookseller.  

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Course Requirements

Required Home Computing Environment
Please see the School’s “Home Computing Requirements” at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/ecommunication/homecomputing.htm

Blackboard
This course will be conducted entirely online using the Blackboard Learning System. Lectures, assignments, and most communications, including discussions and announcements, will be conducted via Blackboard.  

Please see the Blackboard Tutorials on how to enroll in a Blackboard course. To self-enroll in the Blackboard site for this course you must:

1. Be registered for the course FIRST.
2. The access code for the Blackboard site will be sent to those enrolled in the class via the My.SJSU.edu messaging system on August 19. The Blackboard site will open for self-enrollment on August 21.

You must be extremely organized, disciplined and self-motivated in order to complete an online course successfully. Though you can access the course materials online anytime, plan to set aside time each day to complete the readings and assignments. It’s too easy to get behind quickly.

Assignments
Here is an overview of the assignments for this course:

1. Readings
   Each week you will be assigned:
   • an online “lecture” provided by the instructor via Blackboard
   • readings from the textbook
   • two articles of your choice from a selection of articles that I will provide regarding collection management in different library/information center settings
   • other readings as assigned, including vendor information and web sites  
2. Online Discussions
   Each week I will post discussion topics/questions based on the lecture, the textbook reading assignment, and/or the article assignments.   Each student will be expected to participate in the discussion, and will be graded based on their participation and the depth and insight they provide to the group.
3. Collection Development Policy and Implementation Plan
   Each student will create and submit an original Collection Development Policy and Implementation Plan for a library/information center.
   
   Parts of the policy and implementation plan will be created and submitted throughout the semester and will include, but may not be limited to, the following:
   • a detailed description of the library building, size of the collection, and staffing
   • community analysis/needs assessment
   • overall mission statement, goals, and philosophy including audience served
   • materials and formats collected
   • who/how the materials will be selected (and deselected)
   • budget allocations including justification for allocations
   • other issues such as challenges to the collection, gifts, etc.

I will grade and return each segment to you throughout the semester.   You will have the opportunity to improve each segment.   At the end of the semester you will submit the entire policy and implementation plan, with your improvements, for a final grade for the entire project.  

Grading
Total Possible Points is 100:

Grading Scale
Letter grade equivalents based on the University Recommended Grading Scale for Graduate Students:

Late Assignments
I do not accept late assignments. You will receive zero points for late assignments, missed assignments, or for not participating in the online discussions each week.   Please be aware that late or missed assignments will seriously jeopardize your final grade.

You must contact me immediately if you have a medical illness (I will need a note from your physician) or other serious emergency that would prevent you from completing your assignments.

Academic honesty and plagiarism
All assignments submitted must be your own work. Sources must be properly cited in papers as specified in class. I take this very seriously. The San José State University regulations governing plagiarism will be enforced.

Academic Integrity
Read the SJSU Academic Integrity Policy
http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/S04-12.pdf

Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
Students who need accommodation due to a disability must register with SJSU's Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first three weeks of the semester. The Center will work with the students to determine the disability, document it, and determine the services and accommodations necessary for student success. Then, the DRC will contact the faculty member to determine the types of consideration necessary.

Students attending the Fullerton campus should first contact the Disability Resource Center in San José since they are SJSU students. The DRC will then direct the students to supporting resources on the Fullerton campus.

The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/

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