Crash Course in Collection Development

This indispensable resource provides tools for collection management in libraries, featuring essential strategies for inventory assessment, market analysis, budgeting, marketing, and customer service.

The third edition of Crash Course for Collection Development is a must-have for librarians just entering the field and professionals in need of a refresher in effective library operations. It now covers all aspects of collection development and management in all library environments including public, academic, and school libraries.

Focusing on collection development basics, it begins with information on gathering statistics and analyzing community needs to design a collection that meets user needs. It goes on to guide users in writing a collection development policy, budgeting, selecting materials, managing vendor relations, understanding the publishing industry, merchandising and promoting the collection, and handling complaints.

Newly included in the third edition is a discussion of new purchasing and lending models; information for academic and school librarians; and such new trends as libraries as spaces for users, collection diversity issues, makerspaces, nontraditional collections, pop-up libraries, the digital divide, and noncirculating collections.

Author Wayne Disher has once again written a practical and simple introduction to an important, complex, and evolving area of library service.