Collection development librarians face many challenges in the rapidly changing environment of scholarly publications. One approach is to investigate other librarians’ experiences —and then compile the solutions in a special journal issue or book of collected essays. The authors have experience compiling collected works and are eager share tips and techniques to encourage others to accept the rewarding challenge of compiling an edited work in collection development. Steps include: • Developing an idea • Deciding whether to edit solo or with a team • Finding a publisher • Writing the proposal • Setting goals and deadlines • Working with a style guide • Soliciting contributions and/or sending out a call for papers • Selecting papers • Communicating with authors • Editing papers • Communicating with the publisher
Judith M. Nixon is currently a professor and the liaison librarian to the College of Education at Purdue University. Most of her research has focused on development and evaluation of library collections, and she is the co-editor of Collection Management. Over her 30-plus-year career... Read More →
