ARLIS/NY Collection Development Meeting
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May 12, 2005--Casa Italiana, Columbia University
The meeting was called to order by Annamaria Poma Swank. She gave a brief
history of the Casa Italiana and the Italian Academy for Advanced Studies at
Columbia University and described her plans for its library.
Present: Vicky Bohm, Nancy Cochran, Deirdre Donohue, Janice Ekdahl, Dan
Elliott, Val Hoyt, Joy Kestenbaum, Robert Lobe, Margaret May, Christina
Peter, Barbara Reed, Inge Reist, Janette Rozene, Carol Rusk, Lily Solmssen
Moureaux, Evalyn Stone, Annmaria Poma Swank, Ulla Volk, Eric Wolf.
ARLIS-NA Collection Development Group meeting, Houston. Barbara Reed
reported. Topics of discussion included electronic vs. print resources;
performing arts collections-are any considering adding TV or other media?;
the use of institutional credit cards in acquisitions; guidelines for
weeding; disposal of duplicates (for UK guidelines see
<http://www.arlis.org.uk/publ/index.html>
http://www.arlis.org.uk/publ/index.html); the dominance of serials in
acquisitions budget (in some places up to 73% of the budget supports
subscriptions) and serials cancellations; main vs. branch libraries; and
vendor/art libraries relationships.
Institutional Archives. Where do they fit? Some are managed by libraries,
others by the institution's Office of General Counsel or President's Office.
Some document all activity, both administrative and curatorial, others only
the history of exhibitions, while others include the personal papers of art
historians or scholars not affiliated with the institution. Some have
established archives, with a professional archivist, only in the last few
years. Others have a sporadic history, with the archivist subject to layoff
during periods of fiscal constraint. Funds for processing often come from
foundations or individuals, rather than being part of an operating budget.
The Society of American Archivists has a museum section that can provide
useful information.
Library Development/Grant Writing. Some libraries have independent Friends
groups that have been successful in bringing members not previously
connected with the parent institution. Others use the general museum
membership roster or Associates groups and target individuals who are
already museum members or cultivate Trustees' interest in the library.
Programming can include lectures, trips, book sales, readings, book
signings, etc. Behind-the-scenes tours have been successful in a number of
places. Friends groups can be extremely "high maintenance," requiring a good
part of the library director's attention. It is often a struggle to get the
library incorporated into a capital campaign or to get on the "radar screen"
in the development office. It is important to find a least one development
staff member who is willing to work on a project. Its success will then
attract the attention of other parts of development (individual or corporate
giving or foundation relations).
Education for future art librarians. Should the curriculum be changed to
include a collection development component? Should it stand alone or be part
of a general course, such as reference? Is collection development expertise
a priority for an entry-level librarian? Can it be taught? Should it be part
of post-MLS training? Or a practicum as part of the general curriculum?
Should there be workshops (continuing education) in library schools on
collection development for new librarians? An internship with a seasoned
bibliographer might be the best approach. Institutions should be willing to
sponsor internships, but the library school should also endeavor to set
requirements and expectations for interns.
Electronic vs. Printed Resources: It was agreed that this topic could be
best addressed by a joint meeting with the Electronic Resources Discussion
group.
Other topics tabled for future meetings: Facilities Standards for Art
Libraries, Integrating Library and Visual Art Material.
The meeting concluded with a reception generously provided by the Italian
Academy.
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