Developing Library and Information Center Collections

by G. Edward Evans, Margaret Zarnosky Saponaro

This latest edition continues to cover all phases of collection development―from needs assessment, policies, and the selection process (theory and practice), to publishers, serials, protection, legal issues, censorship, and intellectual freedom. Each chapter has been extensively revised to reflect changing practices, policies, and technologies. To this end, some chapters―electronic materials, government information, audiovisual materials, and resource sharing―have been almost completely rewritten. In addition, electronic serials, introduced in the 4th edition, has been combined with its print counterpart in a single chapter. New to this edition is a CD containing supplementary material; a companion Web site () will also be maintained to ensure URLs referenced throughout the text are kept up to date. As the authors put it in their introductory chapter, whatever environment one works in, collection development is an exciting challenge that requires lifelong learning. Students and practitioners alike will benefit greatly from this state-of-the-art text.

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, School, Librarianship, Textbooks, Reference, Education

446 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I never have to pick this book up again, that would be fine with me! After 3 exhaustive days of straight reading, I have finally finished it. While a lot of the information is useful, I found the text to be redundant. A lot of the issues were brought up & repeated in multiple places. In addition, I quickly tired of the mention of changes for the "future edition." It made the book feel dated, which in fact, I think it is due to the lack of emphasis the author wanted to give to certain technological aspects. Technology has revolutionized the library world more than he originally realized ...

[Katy Jean Vance · Rating 3 out of 5]

The day I come across a traditional textbook which deserves five stars... well, it will be one heck of a day. Sunny, I imagine.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I read this on my own. NOT required reading for my collection development course but a lifesaver for providing actual information when faced with an otherwise absent professor. Horrible class , decent introductory book.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gads I had such high hopes for my collection management class, but the textbook is a reflection of my disappointment. Dry, dry, dry dessicated prose. Content was pretty much non-useful.

[Sandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

This thing is massive and a must read for my Library Acquisitions course. Lots of good info, unfortunately its cutting into my recreational reading and is really boring :(

[Nabilah Seta]

teh book is good

[Christa · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a student, this information was mind-blogging, irrelevant, and boring. Many of the lessons from this book are great, however, most people learn hands-on while on the job. Many of the scenarios presented are basic and may help, but by the time you're doing the job, you will forget the lessons presented in the book anyway. The book struggles to provide real world knowledge of the process, but it's a difficult task, but they do their best. Library budgets, electronic resources, and data have changed the game. As soon as this book was published, it was dated. Either way, I had to read it for class and thought it was okay.

[Mk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book doesn't at all deal with the politics behind collection development. By this I mean that it doesn't question the idea that neutrality is possible or even desirable in selection. Though it has lots of information that will help librarians in practical ways, it's a boring read on a topic that I think has the potential for deeper, exciting analysis. Additionally, both authors come from a background of working in academic libraries, and their coverage on libraries outside of this is at times weak.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find that it's hard to get terribly excited about most reading that is assigned for MLIS coursework; Not because I am disinterested in the subject matter, but because they're usually very dry. However, I feel I would refer back to some texts as need dictates later on in my career. This is one of them. Some of the supplemental course readings for Collection Development had more practical information, though. Sections of this book were also a bit dated, specifically in regards to electronic resources and digital formats.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the content of this book was not highly relevant to the collection development process practiced at the academic/research library where I work. It could be that much of this book was written with large public and academic libraries in mind, thinking that the process could be scaled down for smaller libraries. I've found this to be incorrect. It does seem that evaluation of electronic resources is more art than science, and librarians are still arguing about it constantly, so I couldn't blame the authors for omitting the cutting edge practices in this area.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed my course on collection development, but this assigned text was painfully dated. The slightly newer text Crash Course in Collection Developmentthat we used along side this book was much more helpful.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the textbook for my collection development class. It was a little dry, and the chapters seemed to go on forever, but most of the information was really valuable, and the cd that comes with it is packed full of goodies.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

A college textbook I actually read all the way through. Dense text, but useful stuff. Click here for my full review.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, I took a friend's advice (who shall remain nameless) and got through this class barely ever cracking this book. The one or two paragraphs I did read were totally boring. the class was really fun though and I still got an A.

[Christen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found with this series of professional library books, that the information tends to be outdated and too general to be truly helpful to an inexperienced student. Those with experience in collection development won't need it.

[Heather Bolwar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must confess, I never finished the readings in this text, because the other required text for my collection development course was MUCH better. I wonder if Evans is an alumni of my university and that's why this is the second course I've taken with one of his books as a required text?

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's repetitive, tiring to read, and not the most engaging book out there, but it's a good professional resource to have around.

[Kaia]

What was that I was saying about loving my life?

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yawn. OK, it was useful for class, but not a great read. Oh good, I am done now.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

As is the case with most library books, it pays little attention to the special/corporate library and the needs associated with them. This one at least mentions they exist.

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Textbook - has some good information on building a collection development policy... just as i suspected!

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

exciting reading... ok, maybe not!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad for a textbook. It could use an update to keep up with the newest technologies.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars, sure, but just because it turned out to be a subject that interested me and connected to my daily work. Style-wise, it's a textbook with personality but not much artistry.

[Joe Saloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some good information in it and was a pretty good read - not dry and boring.

[Maryanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a helpful overview of developing library collections, but a little dry and tedious to read.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a textbooks goes this one was pretty good. Thought I certainly must admit I did not read every word in the book!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really 2.8 stars. There were parts that were very informative and parts, like with any textbook, that were just painful to get through.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

well considering I read this ENTIRE book for my 5 week summer class, I thought it was worthy of adding it! It was interesing if you're interested in that kind of thing!

[Jessie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another painful library science text.