Building a Balanced Collection Building a Balanced Collection for Leading Readersfor Leading Readers

Johan Koren, Coordinator Johan Koren, Coordinator Murray State University Library Media ProgramMurray State University Library Media Program

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What is a library collection?What is a library collection?

library collection The total accumulation of books and

other materials owned by a library, cataloged and arranged for ease of access, often consisting of several smaller collections (reference, circulating books, serials, government documents, rare books, special collections, etc.).

• http://lu.com/odlis/odlis_l.cfm#libcollec

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RanganathanRanganathan

5th Law of Library Science

The Library is a growing organism

• The 5th law tells us about the vital and lasting characteristics of the library as an institution and enjoins the need for a constant adjustment of our outlook in dealing with it. Libraries grow and change, and will always do so. Collections increase and change, technology changes and budgets change.

– Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan (1892-1972)

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Collection BuildingCollection Building

What is collection building?What is collection building? Collection building is a process

conducted over time that builds and shapes a collection into a balanced, cohesive and sought-after set of user materials.

• Contribute a collection (overview)Digital Library for Earth System Education

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Why build a collection?Why build a collection?

What’s the purpose of What’s the purpose of the collection?the collection? The purpose of the collection is to

support learning. As such, the materials selected for inclusion must support the curriculum.

The collection is used to assist inquiry including the transfer of information and the development of knowledge.

• Information Access & Delivery: School Library Collections

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Who is the builder?Who is the builder?

The media specialistThe media specialist [The] facilitation of access [to resources

for reading] relies on well stocked, carefully chosen, and well-maintained collections. The roles of collection builder and selection aid[e] are traditionally those of teacher-librarians.

• An enabling adult: the teacher-librarian and the creation of a reading environment . Phd dissertation by Susan Gaye La Marca . University of Melbourne, 2003.

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The goal of collection building?The goal of collection building?

Amanda Credaro:Amanda Credaro: “. . . the ultimate goal of collection

development must be to create a ‘balanced’ collection . . .”

• The Use of Reviewing Journals in School Libraries

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What do you mean, balanced?What do you mean, balanced?

Credaro:: . . . there is disagreement as to

what actually constitutes a ‘balanced’ collection. • equal numbers of print and non-print

resources• materials . . . that present the arguments for

both sides on controversial issues• a combination of both “demand” items and

quality resources

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State Standards?State Standards?

The School Library Programs: Standards The School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines expect (model) libraries to:and Guidelines expect (model) libraries to: Offer a balance of print, multimedia, and

electronic resources. The library collection should be current and selected according to district and board approved selection policies.

Develop and maintain a balanced collection based on curriculum and user needs.

• Texas School Libraries: Standards, Resources, Services, and Students’ Performance

From From Beyond Proficiency Program Program Evaluation Evaluation RubricRubric

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What do other writers say?What do other writers say?

Annette Lamb:Annette Lamb: Balanced collections are difficult

to develop. Do you buy one book for each videotape you buy to keep formats even? Do you purchase a pro-choice book for every anti-abortion item you purchase? How do you balance quality with demand?

• Library Media Program: Collection Mapping

Developing a matrix for analysisDeveloping a matrix for analysis

GLOCAL

GROBAL

SOMETHING

NOTHING

Craft Barn:local crafts

Souvenir shop: Tourist trinkets

Museum:touring art exhibition

Disney World:

attractions

George Ritzer

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Two continuumsTwo continuums

Glocal--------------------GrobalGlocal--------------------Grobal

Something----------------NothingSomething----------------Nothing

Glocal?? Glocal=Glocal?? Glocal=GGlobal + lobal + LLocalocal

George Ritzer:George Ritzer:

What is Glocalization, then?What is Glocalization, then?

A hybridizationA hybridization a process where local ideas, traditions, stories

or processes, etc., become transformed by the addition of ideas or elements borrowed from elsewhere

McDonald's in India offers a McCurry Pan, along with other offerings for the local

palate, including the Chicken Maharaja and other non-beef burger items (Delhi).

http://www.geog.okstate.edu/users/lightfoot/cola/pages/india2.html

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What about Grobalization?What about Grobalization?

George Ritzer:George Ritzer:

Rethinking globalization: Glocalization/grobalization and something/nothing, 194.

The counterweight continuumThe counterweight continuum

Something—NothingSomething—Nothing “In this case, ‘nothing’ refers to a social form that

is generally centrally conceived, controlled, and comparatively devoid of distinctive substantive content.”

“. . . something [is defined] as a social form that is generally indigenously conceived, controlled, and comparatively rich in distinctive substantive content; a form that is to a large degree substantively unique.”

• Ritzer, The Globalization of Nothing, 3,7.

Examples of something--nothingExamples of something--nothing

SOMETHINGSOMETHING NOTHINGNOTHING

Place (community bank)---------------Nonplace (credit card co.)

Thing (personal loan)-------------------Nothing (credit card loan)

Person (personal banker)--------------Nonperson (telemarketer)

Service (individualized assistance)---Nonservice (ATM)

Adapted from Ritzer, G. (2003, September). Rethinking globalization: Glocalization/grobalization and something/nothing. Sociological Theory, 21, 3: 196.

Back to the matrix (with some modifications)Back to the matrix (with some modifications)

GLOCAL: Diversity

GROBAL: Homogeneity

SOMETHING

NOTHING

Local, specificsubstantial

content

General, but still substantial and

meaningful

Generic, lacking in depth or real

meaning

Recognizable, but shallow

Everywhere

Elsewhere

Nowhere

Somewhere

Application to collection???Application to collection???

e. g. Trolls????

Top Left Sector of MatrixTop Left Sector of Matrix

Something---SomewhereSomething---Somewhere

GLOCAL: Diversity

SOMETHING

Somewhere

Folklore: Folklore is the body of expressive culture, including tales, music, dance, legends, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, customs, material culture, and so forth, common to a particular population, comprising the traditions (including oral traditions) of that culture, subculture, or group. (Wikipedia)

GROBAL: Homogeneity

NOTHING

Trolls in FolkloreTrolls in Folklore

The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Norway)(Norway) “Once upon a time there were three billy goats,

who were to go up to the hillside to make themselves fat, and the name of all three was “Gruff.” On the way up was a bridge over a cascading stream they had to cross; and under the bridge lived a great ugly troll , with eyes as big as saucers, and a nose as long as a poker.”

• D. L. Ashliman's folktexts, a library of folktales, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology

Bottom Left Sector of MatrixBottom Left Sector of Matrix

Something----EverywhereSomething----EverywhereGLOCAL: DiversityS

OMETHING

GROBAL: HomogeneityEverywhere

Quality literature, sometimes Quality literature, sometimes adaptations or else original adaptations or else original

writing, with universal appeal writing, with universal appeal and meaningand meaning

Trolls that are something for Trolls that are something for everywhere and everyman/womaneverywhere and everyman/woman

MoomintrollMoomintroll “A Moomintroll is small and shy and fat, and

has a Moominpappa and a Moominmamma. Moomins live in the forests of Finland. They like sunshine and sleep right through the winter. The snow falls and falls and falls where they live, until their houses look like great snowballs. But when spring comes, up they jump....”- Kaye Webb, editor of Puffin Books 1974.

• Cited on The Moomintroll Homepage Moomintroll is the son of Moominmamma and

Moominpappa, and is best friends with Snufkin. • Unofficial Moomin Character Guide • Oy Moomin Characters Ltd is the

characters

Top Right of the MatrixTop Right of the Matrix

Nothing---ElsewhereNothing---Elsewhere

GLOCAL: Diversity

NOTHING

Elsewhere

Recognizable stories, Recognizable stories, but unoriginal and but unoriginal and

shallowshallow

Trolls that are nothing elsewhere?Trolls that are nothing elsewhere?

Treasure TrollsTreasure Trolls?????? Picture Books (1200 words)

Status: availabletitles:• Tizzy• Snicker Doodle• Button Breaker• Tinkling

Disclaimer: I have only skimmed these books, and may be misjudging them. See for yourself at his website!

Bottom Right of the MatrixBottom Right of the Matrix

Nothing-----NowhereNothing-----Nowhere

GROBAL: Homogeneity

NOTHING

Nowhere

Generic, unoriginal, Generic, unoriginal, impersonal, shallowimpersonal, shallow

GLOCAL: Diverse

Trolls that are nothing nowhere?Trolls that are nothing nowhere?

Do Do TrollzTrollz fit in here? fit in here?

Trollz: The Magic of the FiveAmethyst, Ruby, Topaz, Sapphire and Onyx can’t wait to take part in the Trollzopolis High talent show. They've got their routine worked out and are raring to go. But will dastardly Simon crush the girls’ best-laid plans, or can they pull together to defeat him and win the contest? Another great tie-in to the Trollz TV programmes.

• From the British Scholastic Trollz website• http://www.scholastic.co.uk/zone/book_trollz.htm

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Something to think about!Something to think about!

Is there a place for the texts on the Is there a place for the texts on the “Nothing” side?“Nothing” side? Yes, because this is the place where

many popular, sought-after titles really fit

The balance comes in deciding how many you have of each, or how many you want to order: something or nothing?

Can we simplify the matrix?Can we simplify the matrix?

GLOCAL: Diversity

GROBAL: Homogeneity

SOMETHING

NOTHING

Everywhere

Elsewhere

Nowhere

Somewhere ISSUE

ANTI-ISSUE

Example?Example?

SOMETHING

NOTHING

ISSUE: Creationism

ANTI-ISSUE: Evolution

QUALITY DEMAND

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Print vs. onlinePrint vs. online

SOMETHING

NOTHING

Print Sources

Online SourcesQUALITY DEMAND

http://www.hp-lexicon.org/http://www.mugglenet.com

http://www.jkrowling.com/