5.19 Tips, Practical Advice, and Lessons Learned

• Your library should plan wisely when collecting material beyond the core collection. Keep in mind the resources required to process, manage, and house the materials. The collection development policy should include the reasoning behind collecting non-core materials, the format of materials to be collected, and the regularity of weeding and reviewing superseded publications.
• Work regularly with your Regional depository and GPO personnel. Draw upon their expertise and knowledge.
• To see examples of specific collection development policies browse the website at the University of Michigan. Most are examples of general collection development policies. There are a few material specific policies such as for maps or for posters.
• For additional information on "Managing Tangible Collections in an Electronic Environment", see the conference proceedings from Fall 2006.
• Write and keep your collection development policy up-to-date. Collect materials to enhance the library’s collection as a whole and to serve the information needs of all users within the Congressional district or local public service area.
• Consider using the selective housing approach to help spread the value of government publications and provide further outreach to the community. Although housing depository material in shared locations better serves the interest of the FDLP by placing the material in alternative locations where it will receive better use, the designated depository still bears responsibility for oversight to ensure that the legal responsibilities are met.
• Drawing on your collection development policy, publicize your collection—highlighting its strengths and materials of particular interest to your local community.
• Conduct continuous, constant, and ongoing networking within the library community as well as in your local community to identify ways to meet user needs.
• Draw upon assistance from government agencies and other resources in building your collection, replacing missing items when required.
• Nothing replaces a thorough knowledge of your collection. Develop regular reviews of the collection to familiarize yourself and your staff in the strengths, weaknesses, and unique characteristics of your collection. Share this information on a regular basis with all of the staff in your library; share it also at regional depository meetings.
• Remember you are not alone, and do not act in a vacuum. Solicit input from patrons, fellow library colleagues, and others when developing your collection. Rarely used publications may be borrowed from other depository libraries.
• Develop appropriate levels of service for electronic resources. Include this information in your processing, procedures, or technical services manual that is regularly reviewed and updated. Ensure all depository and library staff is familiar with it and that the manual is readily available to all library staff.
• Acquire publications to supplement your collection by contacting the issuing agency directly. Frequently, print copies are sent without cost or with only a minimal shipping and handling charge.
• Depository coordinators will find the Documents Data Miner 2, provided through a partnership with Wichita State University (WSU) Libraries and WSU Computer Center, an invaluable collection development and management tool.
• Remember the FDLP Guidelines on Substituting Electronic for Tangible Versions of Depository Publications provide guidance in substituting and offer examples of materials that can be substituted. You may use professional judgment in substituting other materials that meet the criteria.