The third edition of Crash Course in Collection Development is a must-have for librarians just entering the field and professionals in need of a refresher in effective library operations. It now covers all aspects of collection development and management - including inventory assessment, market analysis, budgeting, marketing, and customer service - in all library environments including public, academic, and school libraries.Focusing on collection development basics, it begins with information on gathering statistics and analyzing community needs to design a collection that meets user needs. It goes on to guide users in writing a collection development policy, budgeting, selecting materials, managing vendor relations, understanding the publishing industry, merchandising and promoting the collection, and handling complaints.Newly included in the third edition is a discussion of new purchasing and lending models; information for academic and school librarians; and such new trends as libraries as spaces for users, collection diversity issues, makerspaces, nontraditional collections, pop-up libraries, the digital divide, and noncirculating collections.Author Wayne Disher has once again written a practical and simple introduction to an important, complex, and evolving area of library service.

Introduction to the Third Edition1. Library CollectionsWhat Is a Collection?Initial Issues to ConsiderTypes of CollectionsNeeds, Wants, and Demands2. The Library and Its CommunityTypes of Library CommunitiesThe Goals of a Community AnalysisBasic StepsFinishing Steps of Your Analysis3. Collection Assessment and EvaluationThe Value of Your CollectionEvaluations and AssessmentsWhen to Perform a Collection EvaluationThe Goal of a Collection EvaluationStarting a Collection Evaluation Collection Evaluation Techniques4. Collection Use and Statistics for Collection DevelopersWhy Collect Data about Your Collection?Types of Data Types of CollectionsCommon Formulas and Measures for Collection Developers Presenting and Reporting Your Statistics5. Collection Development PoliciesThe Purpose of a Collection Development PolicyThe Ideal Collection Development PolicyAre Collection Development Policies Useful in Today's Libraries?Elements of a Collection Development PolicyBefore Writing Your Own Collection Development Policy Sharing Your Collection Development Policy 6. Managing Collection BudgetsThe Budget Cycle What You Will Need to Prepare Your Collection Budget Budget Allocations Budget ChallengesAvoiding Problems by Improving Budgeting Skills7. Selecting Library Materials Selection PhilosophiesPersonal Preparations Before You Start to SelectPopular Selection CriteriaSelecting Materials Other Than BooksPoular Selection Tools8. Reviews and Reviewing SourcesThe Purpose of a Review A Standard Review The Limitations of a ReviewFinding ReviewsPopular Library Review Sources9. AcquisitionsSelecting a VendorPurchasing BasicsPurchasing and Lending Models Preparing Your Order Finding the ItemTypes of PurchasesFinishing Acquisitions10. The Publishing IndustryWhat Is a Publisher?The Process of Publishing a Book Various Types of PublishersTop Publishers in the WorldPrintingPublishing TerminologyThe Library and Publisher Relationship11. Collection MaintenanceDeleting Material, or WeedingThe Weeding Process12. Mending and PreservingCommon MisconceptionsCommon Problems Material Protection 13. Collection Promotion and MerchandisingWhy Merchandise and Promote Our Collections?Understanding User BehaviorTypes of Collection Merchandising and PromotionChallenges of Merchandising and Promotion14. Handling Complaints about the CollectionComplaints versus ChallengesIntellectual FreedomPlanning for Complaints and ChallengesA Typical Complaint-Handling Process Internal Censorship15. Collections for the Digital AgeWhat Is an Electronic Collection? Why Electronic Collections and eBooks?Advantages of Electronic MaterialDisadvantages of Electronic MaterialQuestions of Ownership Licensing and Access BasicsContent OptionsDownload OptionsRemote Access Considerations Electronic Selection Criteria The Digital FutureConclusionIndex