The Portable MSLIS - Chapter 9 Reflections

My only experience with libraries is as a patron, so I was unaware of the exact means by which libraries amass their particular set of materials. Over the years I have preferred certain public and academic libraries over others based on their collections, but did not realize how much of an effect politics had on shaping those collections. G. Edward Evans’ chapter “Reflections on Creating Information Service Collections,” was a helpful overview of the various aspects and challenges of collection development. For me, the key idea in this chapter was that building collections first begins with building relationships.

Evans dedicates a full section each to the importance of building relationships, and engaging in consortial projects, but I found that solid relationships were the basis of understanding a community’s needs, what to collect, and how to make appropriate technological changes. If the goal is to create a collection that meets the needs of the community, it is vital that a librarian develop a close relationship with members in that community. Evans warns against relying solely on expert opinions of what should comprise a collection, and rightly so. Which resources and materials will be used, are a function of why they are being used. The answer to that only comes from interacting with the particular public that is accessing your library’s services.

Cultivating good relationships with your director, vendors, and sponsors (as well as professionals or faculty in certain libraries) will make them more receptive to your requests and will facilitate your ability to develop the best collection to meet user needs. Furthermore, in chapter 1 I learned that riding the wave of technological change is par for the course, but it is driven by cultural change. Keeping current with advances in the field is essential, however to implement a technology or format simply because it is new is negligent. Having the insight to understand whether a format has longevity or will improve the informational access of the public you serve can be gained through trusted vendor contacts that understand the technology and, through your relationship, the needs of your specific service community.

Evans, G. E. (2008). Stepping back and looking forward: Reflections on the foundations of libraries and librarianship. In Ken Haycock & Brooke E. Sheldon (Eds.), The portable MLIS: Insights from the experts. Westport, Connecticut, Libraries Unlimited.