You Want Me to Select for What? Getting Started in a New Area

An ALCTS Webcast.

Librarians are often assigned collection development responsibilities in unfamiliar subject areas, then struggle to learn about new subjects, assess local needs, and identify major publishers. Even experienced selectors can find a new subject daunting. This presentation suggests strategies and resources for learning about unfamiliar subjects when assigned selection responsibilities, using examples from the presenter’s experience as a selector and working with new selectors.

Course Level & Prerequisites

None.

Presenter

Virginia Kay Williams (ginger.williams@wichita.edu) is Acquisitions Librarian at Wichita State University, where she selects for law and engineering. Her prior experience includes collection development at Mississippi State University, school librarianship, and school district administration. She holds degrees in library science and law from the University of South Carolina.

Date

Originally presented December 2, 2009. Available 24/7.

Credits &/or CEUs

None.

Fee

Free

Technical Requirements

Computer with Internet access (high-speed connection is best) and media player software. Headphones recommended.

How to Purchase

Download the webcast.

If you receive a Codec error when playing the recorded file with Windows Media Player, download the gotowebinar codec file from: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/codec?Portal=www.gotomeeting.com The Codec acts as a patch that allows the recording, which is created with a higher version of Media Player, to play in version 7. For more information on playing the recording, see the FAQ.

Contact

For all other questions or comments related to the webinars, contact Julie Reese, ALCTS Events Manager at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5034 or jreese@ala.org.