Floating Collections: A Collection Development Model for Long-Term Success - Softcover

Bartlett, Wendy K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1598847430 ISBN 13: 9781598847437

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 2014

Synopsis

This easy-to-use, comprehensive guide shows how to establish a floating collection in any library―regardless of type or size.

Despite its increasing popularity, there are few published works about floating and floating collections. Virtually no one has addressed critical long-term issues like core collections, material selection, and weeding after floating has taken place. Floating Collections: A Collection Development Model for Long-Term Success makes all of this urgently needed information available in one place.

This unique guidebook defines "floating," explains the pros and cons, explores the impact of floating collections on collection work, and enables readers to establish a floating collection in any library. Not only does this book help librarians to decide rationally if, how, and when to float, it also outlines a how-to process for maximum success based on the real-world experience of many systems and identifies ways to maximize the advantages of a floating collection. In addition, the author addresses common collection concerns and outlines workable solutions for problematic issues that can arise.

About this title

About the Author

Wendy K. Bartlett is collection development and acquisitions manager as well as the fiction selector for the Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) system near Cleveland, OH, USA. Bartlett is author of Floating Collections: A Collection Development Model for Long-Term Success (2014).

Reviews

Though many librarians may have heard the term "floating collection," they may not fully understand exactly how it works. A floating collection is a system-wide collection that is not owned by any specific branch. When items are returned to a branch, they simply stay there until they circulate again. The pros and cons of floating various collections are discussed. The author offers information on challenges library systems may face as they begin to prepare their collections, staff, and communities. Although clearly an advocate for promoting this practice, Barrett does discuss the importance of a hard pre-floating weeding of collections and a second weed a year into the practice. She argues that floating is a service to communities, is fiscally responsible for budget-strapped systems, and, in the end, a benefit to library staff. Chapters include tips on how to approach the practice with staff, how to ready facilities and collections, and, most importantly, how to manage new collections. Also offered are practical evaluations, FAQs, and a list of larger systems in the United States that offer floating collections.—Allison Santos, Princeton Public Library, NJ

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1598847430
• ISBN 13: 9781598847437
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152