Collection Development and Management Flashcards
7 cards from real LSSC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Collection Development and Management flashcards as text
Which of the following best describes an approval plan in library acquisitions?
Answer: A vendor agreement to automatically send titles matching pre-set profile criteria
An approval plan is a standing arrangement with a vendor to automatically supply books matching the library's subject and format profile, which selectors review and may return.
When a library has a policy of 'intellectual freedom' in collection development, it means:
Answer: The library will include materials representing diverse viewpoints, even controversial ones
Intellectual freedom in collection development means the library collects diverse perspectives and resists censorship, consistent with the ALA Library Bill of Rights.
What is 'collection mapping' used for in library management?
Answer: Visually representing collection strengths and gaps across subject areas
Collection mapping is a visual or data-based tool that displays the depth and breadth of holdings across subject areas to inform selection decisions.
Which factor is most important when determining the appropriate number of copies to purchase for a high-demand title?
Answer: The title's price and available budget relative to expected patron demand
Copy decisions should balance patron demand (judged by holds, reserve lists, or circulation trends) against budget constraints to minimize wait times cost-effectively.
Which classification system is most commonly used in US public libraries for organizing nonfiction collections?
Answer: Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)
The Dewey Decimal Classification system is the standard organizational scheme for most US public libraries, grouping nonfiction into ten broad subject classes.
A library support staff member notices many holds on a popular series but limited copies. The best first step is to:
Answer: Report the usage data to the selector for possible additional copy purchase
Reporting high-demand data to the selector is the appropriate role for support staff, enabling informed purchasing decisions through proper channels.
What does 'deselection' mean in the context of collection management?
Answer: Removing items from the active collection through weeding or transfer
Deselection is the formal process of removing items from the active collection, whether by discarding, transferring, or placing in storage.