Course Description

This course will acquaint students with a full range of materials now found in libraries:

• printed matter represented by books, journals, documents, pamphlets, audio tapes, CDs, DVDs, etc. etc.;
• scholarly web sites including digital libraries; and,
• electronic information coming to the library through email messages and other means.

A special emphasis in the course is the transfer of scholarly knowledge through online, full-text journals. Intellectual property rights will be highlighted as a key issue when information is freely shared.

The proliferation of multi-media information will also be of concern in this course although the notion of collection will govern this topic.

Fundamental definitions of collections will be explored with attention to the differences of print collections of materials and digital collections of information. Traditional reviewing sources will also be included in this course.

Selection principles bring with it a concern regarding censorship and filtering. This topic will be addressed with particular attention to the distinction between public and private information. Current debates on this issue will be included in class discussions and papers.

Collection management issues will focus on allocation and cost models to acquire materials or lease information. Alternative budgeting issues will be presented as well. Vendor practices will also be highlighted as a key issue in this area.

Organization of the Course

A. Introduction to course

1. Definition of a collection
2. Ownership vs. access
3. Assessing user needs
4. Methods of community analysis

B. Selection principles

1. Criteria
2. Intellectual freedom
3. Censorship and filtering
4. Public and private information
5. Intellectual property issues
6. Relationship to community and methods of community analysis

C. Global access to scholarly web sites

1. Ownership vs. access
2. Authentication and evaluation criteria

D. Journal literature

1. Selection and cancellation issues
2. Print vs. electronic access
3. Cooperative models and consortia
4. Vendor characteristics and packaging plans
5. Negotiation of contracts
6. Cost considerations

E. Multi-media information

1. Selection of materials for ownership
2. Access to multi-media on the Web
3. Relationship of selection principles and practices for particular characteristics of audio and video materials and files

F. Collection management

1. Allocation models
2. Costs associated with acquiring materials and leasing information
3. Vendor considerations in defining collections and in determining costs for access
4. Budget issues
5. Use assessments and measurement
6. Macro and micro approaches to collection management
7. Collection evaluation methodologies

Major Assignments

A. Textbooks. [Note: The Rutgers bookstore has these texts on its shelves.]

Evans, G. Edward. Developing Libraries and Information Center Collections. 4^th ed. Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited, 2000. [required text]

Johnson, Peggy. Fundamentals of Collection Development & Management. Chicago: American Library Association, 2004. [required text]

B. Papers, Reports and Examinations:

1. Paper I assessing scholarly web sites is due the 4^th class meeting.
2. Paper II comparing reviewing media is due the 7^th class meeting.
3. Report on an appropriate text or article relating to collection development and management (panels on a book can also be proposed). This due at a time of your choosing.
4. Term paper is due the class session just before the final class meeting. Each student will indicate his or her term paper topic no later than the 7^th class session.
5. Final examination held during last class session. This exam is based on: (a) class lectures; (b) the papers prepared for the class; and, (c) information contained in the textbook readings.

Methods of Assessment

Reading Schedule

Each class we will discuss the information from the texts and an occasional supplementary reading. There will be a standard schedule for this so you will need to come to class prepared. Expect that you will be called on to critique the readings which have been assigned. The lectures and other activities of the course may not track exactly with these readings but we will spend a portion of each class time discussing Evans and other assigned sources. Additional material may be added to the schedule below.

Evans' text:

Note: Chapter 9 on Government Information is not included on our reading list. We offer a separate course on this topic. You are encouraged to read Chapter 9 if you do not take the Government Information course.

Johnson's text: