Who Is Collecting?

In recent years, much has been written about what law libraries are collecting or, oftentimes, what we are not collecting given budget constraints. Surprisingly little, however, has been written about law libraries’ organizational structures for collection development. Over the past year, the ALL-SIS Collection Development Committee conducted a preliminary survey to begin studying these organizational structures.^* Each academic law library was contacted with a brief questionnaire asking about the role that various positions within the library play in terms of collection development. The questionnaire was very open-ended and encouraged respondents to share any information regarding the way in which collection development takes place in their library. In addition to providing some interesting data, the questionnaire helped the researchers to identify areas that require further investigation.

130 academic law libraries responded to the questionnaire. The numbers reported below include some overlap when libraries reported that positions involved dual responsibilities. Most responses focused on selection and did not provide much information regarding the broader scope of collection development duties. Thus, the findings reported below focus on selection models. Furthermore, many libraries indicated that they handled selection of foreign, comparative, and international law (FCIL) materials and/or electronic resources in a different manner.

Libraries consistently identified the following roles for librarians participating in collection development activities:

• Primary:  This is the position that the library identified as having primary responsibility for collection development.
• Big purchases:  Many libraries indicated that the directors’ role involved big ticket items.
• Consultative:  Those who serve a consultative role do not do actual selection but are asked for input.
• Final review:  Several libraries indicated that the director does the final review of all selections.
• Recommend:  Those who serve in this role can suggest titles but the items will not necessarily be purchased.
• Selection:  Librarians with selection responsibilities choose items for purchase.

The survey revealed that most law library directors are still actively involved in selection. Although the specific roles of directors will require further study, responses to the questionnaire indicated that:

• 38 directors have primary responsibility for collection development;
• 23 directors make a final review of all selections;
• 16 directors select material;
• 25 directors are not involved in collection development.

37 libraries reported that they had a “Head of Collection Development” position or similar position. At times, it was not possible to discern if this position was solely responsible for collection development or if it encompassed other duties within the library as well. In 6 of these libraries, the position was clearly responsible for Technical Services or Acquisitions also. In 8 of these libraries, the position was at the Associate Director level.

In the remaining libraries, primary responsibility for collection development was divided between the following positions:

• Head of Technical Services - 19;
• Associate/Deputy Director (in libraries with only one Associate Director position) - 16;
• Head of Acquisitions - 15;
• Head of Public Services - 9;
• Reference Librarian - 1;
• Other position - 5.

47 libraries indicated that they have a collection development committee or team.

The questionnaire also asked whether libraries handle the selection of foreign, comparative, and international (FCIL) materials, and electronic resources differently from other types of material. 36 libraries indicated that they handle the selection of FCIL materials differently, usually by relying on a librarian with specialized knowledge. 46 libraries indicated that they handle the selection of electronic resources differently and that the process involved broader consultation.

The preliminary survey revealed that there is a tremendous amount of variety in the ways that libraries are approaching collection development. In order to develop a deeper understanding of the way collection development occurs in these libraries, further study will be required. Future inquiries should include:

• Probing broader collection development activities in each library beyond selection;
• Investigating the director’s role in collection development;
• Reviewing job descriptions of librarians whose primary function is collection development, i.e., “Head of Collection Development”;
• Examining the structure and operation of collection development committees;
• Gathering information about FCIL and electronic resource selection procedures;
• Developing an understanding of collection development’s role within the law school, including interaction with faculty and support of the institution’s mission.

* The following committee members collected survey data:  Deborah Jefferies, Head Law Librarian and Associate Professor of Law, North Carolina Central University School of Law Library; Connie Lenz, Associate Director for Collection Development, University of Minnesota Law Library; Helen Wohl, Assistant Library Director for Collection Development and Special Collections, University of Miami School of Law Library; and Gary Yessin, Reference Librarian, Florida A&M University College of Law Library.