Shaky Stacks: New Modes of Collections Management for Uncertain Times (Presentation @ PNLA 2012)
Together with the other members of my division (my boss and co-worker – we’re a small team), I co-presented on collections management at the University of British Columbia (UBC). We tried to make our presentation less show-and-tell and more a discussion about how collections management is changing and what approaches you can take to not just survive the shift, but thrive and provide improved collections and services.
Presentation Outline:
In 2010 and 2011, UBC Library conducted comprehensive reviews of its technical services, systems, public services and reference services, with an eye to transforming all four areas. The Collections Management and Planning unit, part of Technical Services, has worked since 2010 to assist the library in developing new modes and methods of collections management and space planning. We have employed an eclectic mix of methods, including data analysis, development of new tools, dialogue across the organization, organizational transformation, workflow analysis and project management. Our approach is unique because it brings both systems and technical services strengths into the collection management arena. The objective of our presentation is to explore how libraries must begin to think about shifting their collections and space management practices if they are to survive and thrive.
Please check out the presentation slides on my slideshare account. Overall, there was a fair amount of input from the audience, and even more feedback and comments after the presentation and throughout the rest of the conference. If you happened to be in attendance for the presentation and have any comments about our presentation, or about collection management at your institution, please share in the comments section or via email.
*This presentation was a great way to cap off my one-and-a-half year contract with Collections Management & Planning, UBC Library. As I am no longer a student (and can no longer be a student employee), my contract must necessarily come to a close at the end of August.











