What are the best practices for collection development in libraries?

What are the best practices for collection development in libraries?

Best practices for collection development include assessing community needs, selecting diverse materials, and regularly evaluating the collection.

How do I assess the needs of my community?

You can assess community needs through surveys, focus groups, and analyzing circulation data to understand what materials are in demand.

What criteria should I use for selecting materials?

Consider factors like relevance, accuracy, diversity, and the potential for community interest when selecting materials.

How often should I evaluate the collection?

It's recommended to evaluate the collection at least annually, but more frequent assessments can help keep it relevant.

Can you suggest some tools for collection evaluation?

Sure! Tools like CollectionHQ, OCLC's WorldShare, and local library management systems can help with collection evaluation.