I received so many interesting topic proposals for our Collection Development Discussion Group in New York that I have decided to rethink the format of the meeting. Rather than select a single topic for the first half of our meeting (leaving only thirty minutes for any remaining discussion items), I would like to cover as many of the suggested topics as possible in the sixty minutes, spending a maximum of ten minutes per topic. We can try to cover the topics in priority order, as determined by attendees.

Therefore, if you plan to attend the discussion session on Monday, 19 April from 8:00 to 9:00 A.M., please take time to look at the topics below, and come prepared to vote on the three that would most interest you. (Please don’t vote now; wait until the meeting.) We will begin the meeting with introductions, followed by a very brief report from the local New York Collection Development Discussion Group. Then we’ll jump directly to discussion of the topics in priority order.

Afterwards, I hope those of you who have attended our previous meetings will let me know which discussion format you prefer.

Here are the suggested topics, in no particular order. It might be helpful if you were to bring a copy of the list to our meeting.

Thanks for your interest and your suggestions.

Tim Shipe

Proposed Discussion Topics:

Development of visual resource collections within fine arts libraries. (Role of ArtStor; digitization of works by local artists, etc.)

Relationship between general and special collections. (How can general collections support researchers attracted to the library by the resources in special collections?)

Allocation of collection budget to different departments/subject areas.

Print versus electronic journals. (Are libraries canceling print? Which format do users prefer? New pricing model for Project Muse)

E-books in art libraries. (Are libraries purchasing and/or subscribing? Is there patron demand? Has there been an impact on print purchases?)

 “Orphan books” (European art books not acquired by any North American library; particular subject areas not widely collected, such as contemporary Italian art; should something be done to ensure adequate coverage?)

Sources for selection (To what extent do selectors rely on reviews, vendors’ forms, publishers catalogs and web sites, etc.? How useful are these various sources of information for selection?)

Expense of major databases. (What can small libraries do about this?)

Exchanges.

Collecting gallery catalogs.