Curating a Collection of Circulating Technology

A library's collection is integral to its mission. So why is it so common to treat the collection of cameras and other technology as “finished” after the initial purchase instead of curating them as we would books and other AV materials? This session brings together four librarians who apply their collection development skills to these materials resulting in living collections that grow with their patron base. From mainstays to experiments, thinking of A/V equipment similarly to the rest of the library will keep a collection fresh and functioning for years to come.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Extrapolate collection skills to A/V equipment;
• Evaluate the needs of their patrons to determine collection staples; and
• Research equipment in order to find the best value for their purposes.

Who Should Attend: We are looking to engage those who are thinking about opening digital media spaces as well as those who have been open for several years and are looking to keep their spaces relevant.

Presenters:

Emily Thompson is Director of the Library Studio at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Eric Johnson is Head of Innovative Media at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Vanessa Rodriguez is Head of the Creative Studio at University of Miami Libraries.

The three panel members hold parallel positions in Digital Media spaces at southern institutions. While the spaces provide similar services, they also differ according to the needs of their communities. Each presenter will give an overview of their collection strategies, followed by a discussion with the audience about how those decisions were made.

Tech Requirements