Hi, I recently began writing a collection development policy for the small (about 2000 volumes) library at Cornell Hillel where I work.
I have focused on defining our collection as primarily devoted to the support of programming. I define programming in two ways, broadly and narrowly: Broadly defined our collection includes materials for the entertainment and Jewish education of the Cornell Jewish community. Narrowly defined, our collection includes materials that support Hillel programs directly and study between the rabbinic staff and interested students/community members (music for holidays, core Jewish texts, DVDs on Jewish topics.) Weeding is a major concern - dealing with staff that is generally friendly to libraries but concerned about disposing of books required explaining why it is important to weed and how it is done. In weeding! it is important to consider such things as: is the item valuable, replaceable, a duplicate, available elsewhere locally, a gift that you shouldn't get rid of, damaged, out of date, not appropriate for the library in question. You can also define what you accept as gifts. I currently just have a rough draft, but I would be happy to send it to you if you would like to see it. Contact me privately. Cordially, James LaForest Ha-Safran (The Librarian) Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
