The work sample above, 'Library of Things' Collection Policy, was completed as my final project in Collection Development and Acquisitions (ISCI 766). The project topic is something dear to me as I strongly believe that libraries should serve their communities. Creating a 'Library of Things' was a passion project to offer more solutions to our patrons for things they may temporarily 'need' or just 'want' to try. Stanley Library serves both the campus community as well as the local public community, which means the needs of the overall community are a little more diverse than other locations might be. 

This project set the standard by which I created updated collection policy guidelines and statements for all of Stanley Library's collections. It allowed us (myself and two assistants) to adapt older policies to newer ideologies and incorporated digital materials into broader collections. There were whole areas of 'collection' that the academic library I serve had never developed a policy for, so creating a 'template' or 'guideline' made the most sense for us. This project also allowed us to create our first "Reconsideration of Material(s)" policy, as through time the policy for this had become more of an oral history passed down from generation to generation, as it had not been written or updated since the early 1970s. 

This assignment taught me not only how to create a collection policy, but the theory behind the creation of collection policies. I've expressed it before, but many things I had been taught by my previous superiors as 'best-library practice' became part of my everyday workflow, so I essentially was doing the job to the best of my abilities without recognizing the proper terms or understanding how the pieces linked together. For example, I understood the importance of selecting materials intentionally for my patrons. However, I didn't understand why some books were purchasable, but others were not when I had a director. When I became the interim-director I started to be more conscious but that had more to do with budgeting than collection development or management. 

Collection development is an extremely important skill for any librarian to have working knowledge of. At its base line, collection development is the process of building and maintaining library collections to meet the needs of library patrons. For one to properly collect materials that patrons want or need, you have to have a collection policy in place. The collection policy acts as a guide to provide for acquisitions and withdrawal decisions, the allocation of resources, and strategic planning in accordance with the library’s mission statement that meets the educational, recreational, and business needs of the community. By creating this collection policy, I have been able to modify our previous collection policies to create very focused guidelines for various sections within our academic library; for example there is now a Fiction Collection Policy, a Recreation Collection Policy, a Computer Programming Collection Policy, and a Children's Books Collection Policy. 

I knew when I started this program that I wanted to be an academic librarian. Thankfully I was already in a position to work-the-job while getting the degree. This certificate helped solidify my pedagogy style as well as my desire to continue to work in academic institutions as a librarian. I believe this certificate took me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to think more holistically than I've ever thought before when it comes to academic retention and programming for diverse students. Each day, I start by asking myself, what good can I do today? Can I teach someone a skill that they didn't previously have? Can I reduce someone's stress by ensuring the library has something they need? Can I provide the safe-space that I believe all libraries should strive to be?