Floating Collections: A Collection Development Model for Long-Term Success

by Wendy K. Bartlett

Overview

This easy-to-use, comprehensive guide shows how to establish a floating collection in any library—regardless of type or size.

Despite its increasing popularity, there are few published works about floating and floating collections. Virtually no one has addressed critical long-term issues like core collections, material selection, and weeding after floating has taken place. Floating Collections: A Collection Development Model for Long-Term Success makes all of this urgently needed information available in one place.

This unique guidebook defines "floating," explains the pros and cons, explores the impact of floating collections on collection work, and enables readers to establish a floating collection in any library. Not only does this book help librarians to decide rationally if, how, and when to float, it also outlines a how-to process for maximum success based on the real-world experience of many systems and identifies ways to maximize the advantages of a floating collection. In addition, the author addresses common collection concerns and outlines workable solutions for problematic issues that can arise.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781598847437
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/13/2014
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.33(d)
Age Range:	1 - 17 Years

About the Author

Wendy K. Bartlett, MLIS, is collection development manager for the Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction to Floating Collections xiii

Why Floating Works for Today's Libraries xiv

A Word about eBooks xiv

It Is Not All About the Money xiv

Why a Book on Floating Collections? xv

Organization xvi

Methodology xvii

Common Concerns That Are Addressed xvii

Chapter 1 The History of Floating Collections 1

Floating Collections 2

How the Float Behaves-and Misbehaves 4

The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Floating Collection 5

Who Floats, Who Does Not, and Why 7

Has Anyone Ever Quit Floating? 10

Is Floating Right for Your Library System? 11

Chapter 2 Deciding Whether or Not to Float the Collection 15

Steering a Middle Course 18

How Will Floating Affect the Patrons? 19

How Will Floating Affect Circulation? 20

How Will Floating Affect the Staff? 21

How Will Floating Affect the Collection? 23

How Will Floating Affect Fellow Consortia Libraries? 23

Are There Other Mind-Bending, Paradigm-Shifting, Major Upheavals Taking Place? 24

Have Like Libraries Converted Successfully to Floating? 24

What Are the Hidden Costs or Risks? 24

Is Now the Right Time to Centralize? 25

What Is the Worst-Case Scenario? 26

Whom to Involve 27

Deciding to Float: Discussion Questions 27

Chapter 3 Prediction and Preparation 29

Branch Size and Circulation Rank 29

Measuring Patron Behavior 30

Predicting Success 32

Calculating the Prefloat Percentage 33

Tracking the Invisible Patron: Floating and the Hold Shelf 35

Location, Location, Location 38

Heed the Weed 40

Interpreting Results 43

Chapter 4 Communication: Preparing the Staff 47

Staff Morale 47

Managing the Change 48

Staff Concerns before the Float 49

Planning Staff Communication 52

Branch Visits 54

Rebalancing Work Group 55

Postfloat Staff Concerns 56

Chapter 5 Preparing the Collection to Float 59

What Should NOT Float 60

The High Cost of Bad Shelving Practices 61

The 24-Door-to-Floor Shelving Method 63

The Big Weed 68

Chapter 6 Implementation and Postfloat Considerations 71

Implementation and Postfloat Communication 71

Postfloat Branch Visits 72

The Postfloat Percentage 72

Rebalancing 74

The Float Is Right; the Shelves Axe Wrong 75

Chapter 7 Managing a Floating Collection in the Long Term 81

Selecting and Budgeting for a Floating Collection 82

The Importance of Branch Visits for Selectors 85

Floating and Circulation 88

Patron Behavior, Not Staff Opinion 90

Core Collection and Weeding 92

Vetting Old Editions in a Floating Collection 93

Weeding a Floating Collection 93

Epilogue: Floating and the User Experience 101

Floating and the User Experience 102

Collection Work and the User Experience 102

Facility Planning and Design and the User Experience 103

Readers' Advisory, Merchandising/Displays, Programming and the User Experience 104

Conclusion 104

Appendix A 10 Great Reasons to Float 107

Appendix B Partial List of Floating Libraries 110

Appendix C Floating Risk Evaluation 112

Appendix D Deciding to Float 113

Appendix E Chart for Prefloat Branch Visits 115

Appendix F Staff Communication 116

Appendix G Communication Timeline 120

Appendix H Sample 24-Door-to-Floor Cart Tag 121

Bibliography 123

Index 125

Editorial Reviews

[Barrett] argues that floating is a service to communities, is fiscally responsible for budget-strapped systems, and, in the end, a benefit to library staff. Chapters include tips on how to approach the practice with staff, how to ready facilities and collections, and, most importantly, how to manage new collections. Also offered are practical evaluations, FAQs, and a list of larger systems in the United States that offer floating collections.” —School Library Jourbanal

“With many libraries exploring floating collections, Bartlett's book is a useful primer on the process and should be on the reading list for any library looking at floating.” —Technicalities

“Bartlett, collection development manager for the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library, begins this book with an introduction that discusses the basics of floating collections—what they are, how they are organized, their methodology, and which concerns such collections address. . . . Eight appendixes offer additional visuals to help librarians and administrators in the decision-making process and the managing of a floating collection.” —Booklist Online

“This is a superb guide that tackles a challenging decision facing libraries. . . a useful manual to ease the most discerning librarian or administrator who may not be convinced that floating their collection is the best way to go. . . . Floating Collections is an excellent resource to have in your personal and library collection. . . . If your library is debating implementing a floating collection, this is the book for you.” —Public Libraries

“Bartlett has written the guide on how to float and live to tell the tale. She provides ample guidance for answering staff questions and helping libraries determine whether floating would be a positive initiative financially and for patron service. I recommend this book for large public libraries as well as academic libraries to whom floating appeals.” —Library Resources and Technical Services

From the Publisher