Collection Development and Collection Management are closely related to each other but function separately in their own rights. According to Kerby (2019), Saponaro & Evans (2019), Collection Development is related to policy guidelines including the identification and acquisition of information materials, and it is a practical approach with essential steps to manage a school library collection. Saponaro & Evans (2019) argues that the budgetary component should be part of the policy guidelines.
Kerby (2019) listed the steps for a guideline as:
“(1) Policies, practices, and selection sources to evaluate, weed, and build dynamic and diverse school library collections.
(2) Methods and examples for analysing collection, curriculum, and community needs.
(3) Strategies for showcasing the school library collection to learners and stakeholders.
(4) Charts, checklists, worksheets, discussion questions, and tips from practicing school librarians.”
Saponaro & Evans (2019) state that Collection Management is the process for staff members to maintain and determine what resources will be available in school libraries. Collection Management includes managing the budget, information transfers and preservation of resources. Collection Management is a major component of school libraries and managing to access information.
There are many challenges for collection development and collection management that we face as librarians in the digital age. We are living in a fast-paced environment, rapidly changing in information technology and abundant in new digital resources and emerging areas of interdisciplinary research. Not to mention we have budget constraints, changes in teaching and learning practices and expectations from various stakeholders. We have to remember our core values and apply innovative ways to manage this space.
References:
Kerby, M. (2019). An introduction to collection development for school librarians (Second edition.). ALA Editions. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED596141
Saponaro, M. Z., & Evans, G. E. (2019). Collection management basics. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=9o3DEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Collection+management+basics.+ABC-CLIO