The School Library Media Specialist (SLMS) in “Collection mapping” explores using collection maps to collect and analyse data in the school library setting. It details what a collection map is (a tool to provide an overview of the collection as it currently sits) as “an effective tool for decision making” (para. 11).
Using collection maps in a school library provides the TL with a range of quantitative data, that the TL can then use to make informed decisions about future purchases and planning for the collection. The data it and subsequent emphasis mapping provides reveals strong and weak collections in terms of size, relevance, and appropriateness for the library’s cohort. However, SLMS further highlights how this data can then be futher used to inform future decisions. Comparing this quantiative data, as well as the qualitative data collection from further emphasis mapping, with circulation statistics will only serve to improve the quality of the analysis conducted by the TL. Doing so will allow the TL to identify what areas of the collection aren’t borrowed as frequently, and then compare this with the collection mapping data to determine if this is due to promotional issues, relevancy issue, quantity or quality issues.
After these analyses have been conducted, the TL can then use this collection mapping data to create short and long term goals for the collection, and further create selection procedures that match the curriculum and collection goals. Doing so will ensure that the collection maintains relevance, quality, and reflects the curriculum and student needs.
References
The School Library Media Specialist: Collection mapping http://eduscapes.com/sms/program/mapping.html