Course Overview

Welcome to collection and connection development! During this course, we will explore the process of building virtual and physical collections and the concept of connection development.

Our Challenge:

• What is the role of collection development in libraries of various types in the expanded world of information and technology during this pandemic and when many libraries are not open for visitors?

• What should a library own versus provide access to, particularly when the physical collection is unavailable?

• Even after the pandemic, what is the relationship between physical and virtual collections?

Specific Issues we need to investigate this semester:

• 1. Connections development possibilities. Could we continue to build together a major online learning commons of digital resources and services begun by the Fall 2020 class?

• 2. Pushing the collection toward personal devices anytime, anywhere

• Can each student create a portfolio as a skilled virtual collection developer?

This class will push the envelope of traditional ideas about collection development. Some ideas will not match what is done in any current library. Our purpose is to confront what a true 21st century collection might look like in various types of libraries. Thus, during class, we will share what is happening in the libraries you are studying, entertain radical ideas, and think about collections from the user's perspective rather than the convenience of the librarian.

A Real Library Collection?

This class will be based on the concept of design thinking (You can search Google of images of the design thinking model to understand how it works)

Hopefully, each of you can connect in with a real library that you would include in your own investigations such as one you are working in right now or have connections with those who are.

However, design thinking techniques are going to require all of us together to invent our way though the course. We will begin with a few basics, but then as we ideate, build and test the concept of the virtual library or library learning commons, we will decide both individual and group creations in what we now know as an uncertain world.

Assignments

The first two assignments have been designed by your instructor to build empathy and background for the current user populations we are serving and the technology infrastructure needed to service our users.

After that, we will improve upon the design work of the previous class and build our own skills in creating and managing virtual collections alongside physical ones already in place.