THE CONCEPT LIBRARY

A digital collection includes digital content available in various formats that are either born digital or have been digitised (Xie and Matusiak, 2016). School library collections include various digital resources, which need to be accounted for in collection policies to ensure relevant, high quality digital information is available for staff and students. The digital collection in my library requires additional coverage in the collection development policy. Specific areas th

A collection development policy provides the framework that identifies the purpose, goals, scope and contents of the library’s collection (Oberg & Schultz-Jones, 2015). It is a public document created in consultation with the school community, which ensures quality decisions and consistency in collection development. Debowski (2001) recommends including the following items in a collection management policy: Purpose statement; including, users/target audience, and collection g

Weeding is an important process for all libraries to undertake to ensure their collections are suitable, balanced, relevant, and current. A Weeding Policy should be included as part of a larger Library Policy and may appear in a Collection Development and Collection Management Policy, so the intent, guidelines, and procedures are clearly outlined. Without a clear policy, TLs run the risk of harsh criticism from the wider community who may have a limited understanding of the r

School library budgets and effective collection management practices go hand-in-hand. To develop a useful budget, collection management procedures should be undertaken to build a collection that adequately meets the needs of the users. As posited by the International Librarians Network, digital resources have brought challenges to collection measurement practices in terms of licensing and quantity versus quality; however, vendors of digital material often provide access and u

The role of the Teacher Librarian and expertise required is different to that required by all teachers. Teacher Librarians are required to possess additional skills in curriculum leadership, as well as expertise in literacy in all its forms; traditional, information and digital. According to the Australian School Library Association, as well as being trained teachers, Teacher Librarians are curriculum leaders, information specialists, and information service managers (2012).

I chose to compare the guidance provided by SCIS as to what a collection management policy might include, with ALIA and with the University of Queensland collection management policy and principles. SCIS suggests that a policy should; “reflect needs of the users, support and enrich the curriculum, encourage and develop a love of reading, [and] be accessible to the school community” (2013, para. 8). ALIA (2016) provides a similar framework; however, it does not make mention of

Trends in digital publishing undoubtedly have an impact on school libraries and their collections in terms of the access and acquisition of resources. Changes in the digital landscape have driven changes to traditional modes of reading and accessing materials and how those materials are marketed to consumers. Shatzkin specifically points out these changes over time; evolving from the power of a vast and plentiful selection in physical book stores to the power of increased acc