Collection+Development+and+Management

I think the bottom line is that anyone involved has to realize you do not have enough time to do all of the things you would like to. I would guess simply managing three facilities of that size will be enough of an issue. If you have support staff in each building, things like circulation system reports will become important evaluative tools for decision making—you can print a list of titles that need to be weeded and have support staff carry it out for you. Much more managerial and less hands on overall.

Was it Junior Library Guild that sends out books monthly including all of the award winners? This would help me a lot but I cannot remember the company. keep separate accounts with Follett & manage individual collections

Junior Library Guild is a good source for me. They are the best of the best and you choose the levels and genres you want to "subscribe" to. The cost averages to be about 13.00 a book with free Marc records. Their website is user friendly and good customer server. If you have questions email me. gfroeschl@fallscity.com

I have a "folder" with an ongoing order for each building at a specific jobber whose online website makes it easy for me to keep everything separated by building, but easy to access. When I am ready to order, I don't necessarily order from that jobber (Amazon is often cheaper) but it helps when I run across a review somewhere, or a teacher makes a request to have one site to go to where I can quickly add a title to the correct building's file. I do most of my ordering while I man the desk at my MS and HS. Occasionally I will also find time to do some of that on my "Free Friday".

With the help from my aides, I inventory each building in the spring, and update the computer circulation so that we start each fall knowing what we have, and knowing it's in the right place. With the help of the aides, it takes about a week to inventory all three buildings.

Ordering and purchasing: For the most part, I order the same items,unless I may purchase a set of books and split them. We use Destiny and we do share between our schools. Depending on the vendors if I can save money, I will do my own processing, ( which too many is crazy ).

I like to use BoundtoStayBound's online ordering site. I keep an account for each of my two school libraries. As I read reviews/preview books (on my own time-at home of course) I add titles to my current "wishlists." Then when I'm told I have money to spend, I can download the list and have a PO request ready in very little time. ~ Marcia Dressel - Osceola