Collection Management
INFO 266

James Oliver
Email 

Other contact information:
The best method to reach me is by using the Canvas mail system. I am on Canvas daily, and I will respond quickly to any messages. You may also contact me using email, which I only check once on weekdays. 
Office Location: Online
Office Hours: Zoom by request

Study of collection management in all types of libraries and information centers. Includes analysis of information needs, criteria for selection, collection use evaluation, and resources for collection development.

Expectations

Students are expected to participate fully in all class activities. It is expected that students will be open-minded and participate fully in discussions in class and debate in a mature and respectful manner. Use of derogatory, condescending, or offensive language including profanity is prohibited. Disagreement is healthy and perfectly acceptable. Expressing disagreement should always include an explanation of your reasoning and, whenever possible, evidence to support your position. In accordance with San José State University's Policies, the Student Code of Conduct, and applicable state and federal laws, discrimination based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability is prohibited in any form.

Course Workload

Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum of forty-five hours over the length of the course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with 1 of the hours used for lecture) for instruction or preparation/studying or course related activities including but not limited to internships, labs, clinical practica. Other course structures will have equivalent workload expectations as described in the syllabus.

Instructional time may include but is not limited to:
Working on posted modules or lessons prepared by the instructor; discussion forum interactions with the instructor and/or other students; making presentations and getting feedback from the instructor; attending office hours or other synchronous sessions with the instructor.

Student time outside of class:
In any seven-day period, a student is expected to be academically engaged through submitting an academic assignment; taking an exam or an interactive tutorial, or computer-assisted instruction; building websites, blogs, databases, social media presentations; attending a study group;contributing to an academic online discussion; writing papers; reading articles; conducting research; engaging in small group work.

Core Competencies (Program Learning Outcomes) Supported

INFO 266 supports the following core competencies:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Exhibit familiarity with the theoretical and practical issues of resource selection and collection management for libraries and information centers.
2. Describe the role and value of collection management and its relationship to other library functions.
3. Describe the major forms of cooperative (shared) collection development.
4. Develop a rationale for planning the development and management of a collection.
5. Assess user information needs in the context of collection management.
6. Identify and evaluate literature and other resources pertinent to materials selection and collection management.
7. Apply methodologies and skills for selecting resources and evaluating and managing a collection.
8. Create and evaluate collection policies.
9. Identify the challenges and issues of collection management, such as ownership and access, cultural sensitivity, copyright, and censorship.

Textbooks

Required Textbooks:

• Evans, G. E., & Saponaro, M.Z. (2019). Collection management basics (7th ed.). Libraries Unlimited. Available through Amazon: 1440859647

Each assignment is worth a percentage of the 100 points earned for the semester. 

A library needs assessment: (20 points) 

This is the only group assignment for this class, and the class will self-select into groups.

Understanding a community is critical to research and will help develop a collection that meets their needs. The groups will examine a library and the community. The groups will research methods used to study a community. Then they will examine several needs assessments and then write one for their library. The report should include a description of the library studied, the community, and the methods used by the group to study them. Details for the assignment are on Canvas.
CLO 4 5 7

Review library collection development policies and write a policy: (20 points)

A collection development policy helps develop a relevant collection. The collection development policy also helps the library's community know the library's areas collected and the methods used by the library. The collection development policy helps a new librarian. Please examine five existing policies and review them, then write a collection development policy. Details for the assignment are on Canvas.
CLO 3, 8

Evaluation and selection of library resources: (20 points)

These are serials, websites, and books with reviews to help a librarian know what items to purchase for the library.  Examine seven selections that provide reviews to help a librarian make appropriate choices.  Write a spreadsheet of the books or media materials a librarian may want to order.   Details for the assignment are on Canvas. 
CLO 2, 6

Research paper: (20 points)

The student will pose a research paper on a topic in collection management, and of interest for the student. The student will use scholarly resources to study the topic and formulate an informed response to the question they pose. Details for the assignment are on Canvas.
CLO 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9

Participation/Discussions: (graded at 5 points twice, for 10 total points)

Communication is important for a librarian. In meetings or emails, a librarian needs to convince someone. Each student must be online weekly to view lectures and participate in discussions. Each student will submit one statement or question and may respond to another statement on a discussion page each week. To do well in the class, it is important to participate in the class each week. There will be a grade for participation provided twice during the course.
CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Journals: (Two journal assignments worth 5 points each, for 10 total points)

During the class, there is a journal of at least two paragraphs and no more than two pages on a single topic from the previous weeks. It may include observations and thoughts on the topic.  Details for the assignment on Canvas. 
CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9

Other Relevant Information:

Students are expected to participate in all class activities each week. Students need to be open-minded and debate respectfully. Use of derogatory, condescending, or offensive language is prohibited. Please be respectful of ideas or thoughts on any topic. Remember, disagreement is healthy and perfectly acceptable. Expressing disagreement should always include an explanation of your reasoning and evidence to support your position.

I do not accept late work unless there is a rationale for the late work provided before the assignment's due date. Regardless of the reason, late work may receive a penalty of 0.10 of a grade for each day late. 

The standard SJSU School of Information Grading Scale is utilized for all iSchool courses:

In order to provide consistent guidelines for assessment for graduate level work in the School, these terms are applied to letter grades:

• C represents Adequate work; a grade of "C" counts for credit for the course;
• B represents Good work; a grade of "B" clearly meets the standards for graduate or undergraduate (for BS-ISDA) level work;
  For core courses in the MLIS program (not MARA, Informatics, or BS-ISDA) — INFO 200, INFO 202, INFO 204 — the iSchool requires that students earn a B in the course. If the grade is less than B (B- or lower) after the first attempt you will be placed on administrative probation. You must repeat the class if you wish to stay in the program. If - on the second attempt - you do not pass the class with a grade of B or better (not B- but B) you will be disqualified.
  
• A represents Exceptional work; a grade of "A" will be assigned for outstanding work only.

Graduate Students are advised that it is their responsibility to maintain a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Undergraduates must maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

Per University Policy S16-9 (PDF), relevant university policy concerning all courses, such as student responsibilities, academic integrity, accommodations, dropping and adding, consent for recording of class, etc. and available student services (e.g. learning assistance, counseling, and other resources) are listed on the Syllabus Information web page. Make sure to visit this page to review and be aware of these university policies and resources.