Suzanne CohenCollection Development LibrarianMartin P. Catherwood Library, ILR SchoolCornell University Library

Boaz Nadav-ManesDirector, Acquisitions and Automated Technical ServicesCornell University Library

Charleston Conference in South Carolina. November 2011

Continuing Education and Professional Development on a Shoestring and During a Sprint

“Effective performance of collection management and development activities requires continual learning, both in the theories and practices of this specialty and in the areas for which one is responsible. A commitment to self-education along with intellectual curiosity, energy , and time, is essential.”

(Peggy Johnson in Fundamentals of Collection Development and Management, 2nd edition)

Formal Organization

AUL

Social Sciences

Subject selectors

Humanities

Subject selectors

Sciences

Subject Selectors

Area

Subject Selectors

CDExecDirector/

Assistant to AUL

Selector Continuing Education Committee

The Charge

• Plan and institute an ongoing professional development program through which selectors at all stages of their careers can share information and insights about the theoretical, technical, intellectual, and service aspects of collection development. Work with Library Technical Services and other units, as appropriate.

• Coordinate technical training programs that foster efficient practices in collection development. Work with the WorldCatSelection liaisons, Central Library Operations, and other units, as appropriate.

• Foster discussion among selectors of the evolving nature of collection development.

• Support efforts to update, consolidate, and expand the documentation of CUL collection development procedures and practices. Oversee the integration of this documentation into the Scholarly Communications and Collections website.

Orientation and Documentation

• New selector orientation (checklist)• Documentation on Procedures (centralized wiki)• A Timeline for Selector activities

Forums

• Take advantage of internal experts

• Take advantage of larger Cornell community

• Take advantage of external experts

Library Webinars

http://neflin2.blogspot.com/

Webinar Hosting

Tools

Discussion Group

Lessons Learned

•Grassroots approach •Variety of programming to meet varying needs

Lessons Learned

•Bringing people together face-to-face •Open discussion in a safe environment

Lessons Learned

• Reduces feeling of anxiety

• Can result in information overload

Lessons Learned

•Attendance is NOT required•Enable learning at time-of-need

Lessons Learned

• Attendance by AUL and Director of Collection Development• Committee members need to embrace informal • Serving as a “connector” is an important role

Why the slippers?