Editorial

Citation

Cassell, K.A. (2009), "Editorial", Collection Building, Vol. 28 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/cb.2009.17128baa.001

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Collection Building, Volume 28, Issue 2

Selection has become more complicated as the number of formats available to libraries continually increases. The formats are both actual physical formats such as Blu-ray and new digital formats such as downloadable e-books and audio books. In our fast moving world librarians must continually re-examine their collections to see if the formats being acquired by the library are appropriate and valid. Community interests change and curriculum changes as well. The many formats acquired by libraries must all be evaluated to be sure that the titles and formats are still appropriate and of interest to the library’s users. The library may want to do surveys or focus groups to judge interest in both old and new formats. Even if the library decides to no longer acquire materials in a particular format, the collection itself may remain to serve users.

Libraries must always be aware of new formats or new ways of acquiring information that are being used or are of interest to the library’s patrons. This does not mean that libraries must acquire each and every available format. It is better to take a little time and evaluate whether a new format is appropriate for the library’s users and to plan for the addition of that format. This may mean no longer acquiring more materials in older formats or it may mean adding a new format in addition to the others the library collects. Criteria for acquiring new formats should be developed to guide this decision-making.

This constant attention to new and changing formats is increasingly both an opportunity but also a burden. Too many formats may mean that the library cannot acquire in depth in any one format. Stretching the same dollars over more formats can diminish the library’s ability to collect a sufficient number of titles to support the users’ interests.

It is my opinion that libraries need to plan the addition of new formats with some care understanding that it is great to be on the cutting edge but still being sure that their decision-making process is based on facts. Libraries should develop guidelines for the addition of new formats so that they will be able to fund and support a new format. Not all formats will endure, so libraries should move carefully balancing speed with a well-developed instinct for good decision-making.

Kay Ann Cassell