Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/415782
8 All prices are in U.S. dollars. Special offers and discounts are available in the U.S. only. The Science and Art of Collection Development Collection development can be characterized as both a science and an art. It takes experience, knowledge and resources to pinpoint which materials will circulate consistently . . . before they are ever published. Collection development can be viewed as a science because most selectors use a metric to decide how funding should be divided among the sections of the library. I use statistics to determine which items are heavily requested and circulated, which genres are over- and underrepresented, and which titles are emerging as bestsellers and award-winners. These indicators are often easy to decipher and I purchase accordingly. However, collection development is also an art because it involves a sixth sense for the fresh and unexpected. I use local resources to determine what might become a hit among the patrons in my community. I scan newspapers and magazines to see what our patrons are reading. I check the films at our local indie theater for independent, foreign and art films based on books. When children and teens attend library programs, I take notice of the accessories, games and events that interest them. If a particular subject (backyard chickens, minecraft, miniature gardening, steampunk, paracord projects, longboards, pin up girls, roller derby, costume jewelry, paleo diet, nail art, TED Talks speakers, Comic Con, etc.) is trending, I purchase several books on the same subject because I know they will fly off the shelves. When it comes to our large print collection, I use both the science and art of collection development to purchase new titles. When I first started, I observed that large print readers are not just seniors; they are patrons of all ages. I also found an overabundance of mystery and romance titles in our large print collection. In response, our patrons asked for (and received) more nonfiction and young adult books in large print. We also have standing orders for bestsellers so our patrons receive large print companions in a timely manner. When combined with the thousands of titles offered through the LYNX! Consortium, our patrons have plenty of wonderful large print titles to choose from. On a personal note . . . Kristi is currently the Manager of Ada Community Library's Victory Branch in Boise, Idaho. She serves as the Idaho Library Association Vice President/President Elect and the Newsletter Editor for the Idaho Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. She holds an MLS from the University of North Texas. She enjoys reading books about history, current events, art, travel, and people featured in the news. Kristi previously served as the Supervisor of Collection Development and Technical Services at Garden City Library in Garden City, Idaho, a community of 11,000 people. PEER PICKS MEET OUR NEW PEER PICKS SELECTOR . . . Kristi Haman is the Manager of Ada Community Library's Victory Branch in Boise, Idaho. We are thrilled to have Kristi Haman as our next selector for Peer Picks. Join us during the next three months to follow Kristi's picks and read about her views on large print materials, collection development and other best practices.