Collection Development: Thy name is Marge!

Over the years I have now thought beyond my collection development policy and broad statements of collection goals and tried to hammer out practical choices that are limited by shelving, budget and time. After almost nine years working in a library and five of those as a reference librarian in a small library, I now humbly submit myself for the use of “experienced” next to my name. However, although I felt confidence in my academic training, I will never forget the day when I was told to actually pick some fiction and place an order for my library. Like a stunned animal, I stared at a stack of cards and what seemed like foot high pile of Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Then I threw up.

Being in the neighborhood of two universities with library science programs I have been fortunate to have more than a few library science students float through my life and challenge me while they tried to reconcile the realities of practical library work and service with their education. Of course the magic of managing and selecting a collection is one of the most interesting and challenging subjects in library school, many students show up at our door wanting the nuts and bolts of picking and choosing materials. I feel their pain and say you need to find Marge. (Of course this is where most students stare at me blankly wondering if my library hair bun is wound too tight).

Marge is not superhuman, but is really what all librarians’ need--a special, regular patron that articulates your collection philosophy and ideals on a personal level. In the case of our library, she is a patron that is regularly tuned into the area newspapers, magazines and television. She is also a voracious reader that cuts across all genres and interests. All libraries, no matter what the size, have a few of these people. The trick is finding them. Not all of them will require the services of librarians, but you can bet the circulation staff knows these people. They don’t need help finding items to read because they already know what they want. They are here to collect.

I need to know specifics and Marge is my human face on the collection. Instead of trying to interpret broad community needs, or study circulation statistics in a vacuum, Marge has already identified the books and is in many ways a typical member of my service population. I just follow her lead. Each week, as part of her weekly routine she picks up the piles of books she has ordered and drops off a list of new ones. Previously, the circulation staff would just enter the holds and move on with the business of the library. Once I was privy to the Marge list, I was on my way.

Initially, I didn’t even realize I struck gold. I only wondered what kind of person requests 20 and 30 books at a time and picks up and reads that many each week. Who has that time? Evidently Marge does. As a retired teacher, Marge has paper and pencil with her and every time someone mentions a book that sparks her interest she writes it down. Seriously.

When I started paying attention to her requests, it finally dawned on me that she was identifying a good chunk of current non-fiction and fiction titles just hitting the best seller list. In addition, if she liked the author, she added additional back titles that also seemed to have a revived shelf life. In the span of two years handling Marge’s account personally, I learned about book trends and topics more than daily reading of the industry rags. Because Marge is my local patron, she was in tune to what might be popular in my town and library. But it isn’t just Marge. I have many patrons that help me with specific genres or titles. When themes in education or politics come up, I always think of Chuck. Thrillers (without lawyers and politicians) and I know I need to set it aside for Tim. Vampire lit and historical romance, I know it’s for Jennifer. Something risqué and you can bet I will be calling Sylvia. Personalizing my collection has helped me make better choices for my patrons.

So, when my library students come looking for “secrets” of selection, I always say “Let me tell you about Marge”.

Collection "Rules" : Remember the Exceptions!

In developing some collection quality standards everyone seems to be looking for hard and fast rules. Medical information and legal information is questionable after 5 years, or if no one has checked out a book in 5 years, it should be weeded. These kinds of rules disturb me in many ways. No single title or collection can be judged based on such singular criteria. Context, condition and community (forgive the alliteration!) all determine an items “fitness” for inclusion in the collection. Rules of thumb are a good jumping off point but don’t forget to allow for the exception that might “prove” the rule!

Context: Where was the item shelved or displayed? Did the right people find that item? If something isn’t “working” in your collection, have you thought about why and where it is within the library? Does it belong in more than one place? Items with crossover appeal are also making me reconsider multiple copies of titles in multiple places! The Twilight Series, Harry Potter and many of James Patterson’s Maximum Ride books appeal to all ages and kinds of readers. If your circ numbers are not doing what you think, ask yourself about context!

Condition is also a fun topic at my library. Our youth librarians and I debate constantly the quality of a particular item. As an adult services librarian, my standard on what is “yucky” is completely different from our youth staff. I have seen picture books held together with tape and prayer and still it circs! Obviously what is standard for one collection might not work for others.
My community also has its own barometer of taste and standards and as a librarian I am bound to take this into consideration. Many years ago I debated with a librarian about inclusion in our library a coffee table book featuring some pretty graphic photography. The book was 65 dollars and had a naked man on the back cover (Very naked). I am no prude and I am not out to censor anyone, but I was trying to think of even one person in my library that would check it out. My argument was less for content and more for it really didn’t address a single person in my community. Maybe this would be a better title for a larger library or a specific art or photography collection. My point is that with a limited collection budget and shelf space, I don’t want materials that are not going to serve my patrons.

Before anyone thinks what I have said is engraved in stone, I have exceptions to almost every collection situation I can think of! I keep a copy of a book I would never purchase because the guy who donated it comes into the library to “visit” the copy on the shelf. I keep many books that are in poor condition simply because I can’t find a good looking replacement. What we librarians must do is defend our choices with data (circulation and cost are serious issues to consider) If our choices aren’t working, have we really considered other issues like shelving location, marketing or whether this particular title was a good choice for the community.