2 Collection analysis

Another way to assess your collection development activities is to conduct a collection analysis, which is a systematic and quantitative evaluation of your collection's characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. You can use various methods and tools to analyze your collection, such as bibliometric analysis, citation analysis, collection mapping, gap analysis, or overlap analysis. You can also compare your collection with other libraries' collections, standards, or benchmarks to measure its quality, relevance, diversity, and coverage. Collection analysis can help you identify areas for improvement, development, or deselection in your collection, and align your collection with your library's mission, vision, and goals.

3 Impact assessment

A third way to assess your collection development activities is to conduct an impact assessment, which is a qualitative and holistic evaluation of your collection's outcomes and value for your users and your library. You can use various methods and tools to measure your impact, such as outcome-based evaluation, value-based evaluation, return on investment, or social return on investment. You can also use stories, testimonials, case studies, or indicators to demonstrate your impact. Impact assessment can help you communicate the benefits and value of your collection for your users' learning, research, or personal development, and for your library's reputation, sustainability, or advocacy.

4 Professional development

A fourth way to assess your collection development activities is to engage in professional development, which is a continuous and reflective process of learning and improving your skills and knowledge in collection development. You can use various methods and tools to enhance your professional development, such as peer review, mentoring, coaching, feedback, or self-assessment. You can also use journals, books, blogs, podcasts, webinars, or conferences to keep up with the latest trends, best practices, and research in collection development. Professional development can help you update your competencies, standards, and ethics in collection development, and foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration in your library.

5 Strategic planning

A fifth way to assess your collection development activities is to participate in strategic planning, which is a collaborative and proactive process of setting goals, objectives, and actions for your collection development in alignment with your library's strategic plan. You can use various methods and tools to facilitate strategic planning, such as SWOT analysis, environmental scan, visioning, or action planning. You can also use performance indicators, metrics, or dashboards to monitor and evaluate your progress and achievements. Strategic planning can help you define your vision, mission, and values for your collection development, and ensure that your collection development activities are relevant, responsive, and impactful for your users and your library.

6 Ethical considerations

A sixth way to assess your collection development activities is to consider the ethical implications and responsibilities of your collection development decisions and actions. You can use various methods and tools to guide your ethical considerations, such as codes of ethics, policies, guidelines, or principles. You can also use ethical frameworks, models, or dilemmas to analyze and resolve ethical issues or challenges in collection development. Ethical considerations can help you uphold the values and principles of librarianship, such as intellectual freedom, diversity, equity, inclusion, access, privacy, or social justice, and ensure that your collection development activities are fair, respectful, and accountable for your users and your library.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?