Fundamentals of Collection Assessment

Monday, 3/2/2020 - Friday, 4/10/2020
Monday, 5/4/2020 - Friday, 6/12/2020
Monday, 7/27/2020 - Friday, 9/4/2020
Monday, 10/5/2020 - Friday, 11/13/2020

Description: This six-week online course introduces the fundamental aspects of collection assessment in libraries. The course is designed for those who are responsible for or interested in collection assessment in all types and sizes of libraries. The course will introduce key concepts in collection assessment including:

  • The definition of collection assessment
  • Techniques and tools
  • Assessment of print and electronic collections
  • Project design and management

The course is offered several times each year.  You only need to take one session.  Sessions tend to sell out weeks in advance.

2020 Sessions

  • Session 1: March 2 – April 10 - SOLD OUT 
  • Session 2: May 4 – June 12
  • Session 3: July 27 – September 4
  • Session 4: October 5 – November 13

Format:  Students receive login instructions one week prior to the course start date.  Students have 24/7 access to the course site for the six-week period, and aside from assignment and quiz deadlines, the course may be completed at their own pace.  Instructors provide guidance and feedback as students work their way through the course material.  Weekly, instructor-moderated chat sessions are the only live course events that students are asked to attend.

Weekly Chat Schedule:  The following times are tentative and may change according to instructor availability.

Week One: Thursday at 2:00 pm CDT
Week Two: Tuesday at 12:00 noon CDT
Week Three: Wednesday at 3:00 pm CDT
Week Four: Monday at 11:00 am CDT
Week Five: Wednesday at 3:00 pm CDT
Week Six: Thursday at 1:00 pm CDT

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the fundamental aspects of collection assessment
  • Understand the various collection assessment methods and tools, including both qualitative and quantitative analysis
  • Design and implement a collection assessment project
  • Perform a collection assessment of print resources
  • Complete a collection assessment of electronic resources

Who Should Attend

This is a fundamentals course that will appeal to anyone interested in the topic with no previous experience.

Taking a web course is different than taking a traditional course in a classroom. Read Are You Ready for Online Learning to make sure the web course structure is right for you.

Instructors

  • Alison M. Armstrong is Collection Management Librarian at Radford University, Virginia.
  • Teresa Negrucci is the Collection Assessment and Development Librarian at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), in Worcester, Massachusetts. 
  • Miranda Bennett is Head of Liaison Services for Collections and Research Support at the University of Houston Libraries.
  • Erika Ripley is E-Resources & Serials Acquisitions Librarian at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  • Kristin Calvert is the Head of Content Organization and Management at Western Carolina University (NC).
  • Posie Aagaard is Assistant Dean for Collections at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
  • Linda Frederiksen is Head of Access Services at Washington State University.
  • Josephine Crawford is Content Development Librarian at Kansas State University.

Head of Liaison Services for Collections & Research SupportHead of Liaison Services for Collections & Research SupportHead of Liaison Services for Collections & Research Support
University of Houston Libraries    is

Registration

Cost

$139 ALCTS members; $169 nonmembers

NOTE:
Any requests for cancelation or changes to registration must be received in writing by ALCTS or the ALA registration department (MACS) no later than 7 days prior to the start of the course and are subject to a $40 processing fee.

How to Register

Online

Register online using the online learning registration site.  Courses are listed by session date.  Click on the “register link” located to the right of the session you are interested in.   You will be prompted to login with your ALA member ID or create a guest account, to begin the registration process.

By Mail

Register by mail (purchase order or check) by completing this print registration form. Tip: If you’re unable to open this “register by mail” link, right-click the link and save the form to your computer.

Questions?

For registration related questions, call 1-800-545-2433 and press 5 and speak to our customer service representatives.

ALCTS Code of Conduct

Please review the ALCTS Statement of Conduct before registering.

Tech Requirements

A Moodle-developed site is composed of self-paced modules with facilitated interaction led by the instructors. There are predetermined start and end dates and a suggested pace which include interaction with the instructors and your classmates. Students regularly use the forum and chat room functions to facilitate their class participation. Section quizzes are offered and feedback given, however, there is no final class grade.

The course website will be open for 1 week prior to the start date for students to have access to Moodle instructions and set their browser correctly. The course site will remain open 1 week after the end date for students to complete any sections and submit the course evaluation survey.

Credits

Contact Hours - 24 hours

ALCTS defines contact hours in line with the IACET standards on Continuing Education Units.

Average number of hours spent per week on course: 4

Certificates of completion are sent upon successful completion (passing score of 70% or higher) of the course.

Contact

For questions about registration, contact ALA Registration by calling 1-800-545-2433 and press 5 or email registration@ala.org.

For all other questions or comments related to the webinars, please contact alctsce@ala.org.