Library Journal Review
| With this well-written, insightful work, editors Robison (library services, Valparaiso Univ.) and Shedd (research & writing consultant, New Media Consortium) examine one of the newest trends in librarianship: the things collection. Libraries have responded to the needs of their communities by curating items such as bicycles, guitars, tools, umbrellas, video game consoles, and seeds. According to Robison and Shedd, unlike print and electronic resources, which meet users' informational or educational needs, these collections address patrons' practical needs. They have increased in popularity owing to a rising interest in DIY and in collaborative consumption. Fourteen case studies from public and academic libraries will inspire librarians. In addition, this volume offers best practices for promotion, funding, and maintenance. VERDICT A valuable resource for public or academic librarians. Could also be useful for LIS students. [See Q&A with the editors, p. 91.]-Dave Pugl, Ela Area P.L., Lake Zurich, IL © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |
School Library Journal Review
| With this well-written, insightful work, editors Robison (library services, Valparaiso University) and Shedd (research & writing consultant, New Media Consortium) examine one of the newest trends in librarianship: the things collection. Libraries have responded to the needs of their communities by curating items such as bicycles, guitars, tools, umbrellas, video game consoles, and seeds. According to Robison and Shedd, unlike print and electronic resources, which meet users' informational or educational needs, these collections address patrons' practical needs. They have increased in popularity owing to a rising interest in DIY and in collaborative consumption. Fourteen case studies from public and academic libraries will inspire librarians. In addition, this volume offers best practices for promotion, funding, and maintenance. VERDICT A valuable resource for public or academic librarians. Could also be useful for LIS students.-Dave Pugl, Ela Area Public Library, Lake Zurich, IL © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |
CHOICE Review
| This informative and entertaining book begins with an overview of how the contemporary maker culture and sharing economy have encouraged the growth of "things collections" in libraries beyond curricular materials to include tools, seeds, musical instruments, crafting supplies, and much, much more (furs, skulls, bird mounts, bikes, etc.). Editors Robison (Valparaiso Univ.) and Shedd (New Media Consortium) are both academic librarians who support the collection of unusual items (what has long been termed realia), and their expertise shows in their selection and arrangement of the essays in this volume. The book contains 14 contributed case studies of sometimes odd things collected by public, academic, and special libraries, describing different types of collections and their management, written by the librarians who work with them. There is also a final chapter on best practices and appendixes containing samples of documentation used with some of the collections mentioned in the book. An index provides broad and focused subject access. This is not a highly academic work but one that emphasizes information-sharing among practitioners. As such it would be an excellent staff resource for anyone considering or already offering a library of things, and could also serve as a supplemental reading for an LIS course on collection development. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students through professionals/practitioners. --Hillary Corbett, Northeastern University |
Booklist Review
| The maker movement and the notion of the library as a community commons have helped reignite the interest in libraries as repositories and spaces to collect and engage with realia. They also foster a community of sharing, and facilitate social entrepreneurship. This book explains how to develop and leverage library collections of things to meet community needs. Editors Robison and Shedd work as academic librarians. Most contributors are also academic librarians, although public and special librarians, and a community advocate, are also represented. The first chapter provides a history of realia circulating collections by type of item. The next 14 chapters are clustered by type of library. Chapter case studies are 10-20 pages long, and detail their processes and lessons learned; community involvement is often a key element. Most chapters include a black-and-white image or table. Typical circulating realia include game consoles and other media equipment, DIY tools, teaching aids, and biological items. The final chapter summarizes best practices. A series of appendixes feature useful forms and templates to support realia-based collections. A detailed index concludes the volume. This compendium of experiences offers a clear and practical set of examples that can inspire librarians to develop their own community-based library of things.--Farmer, Lesley Copyright 2018 Booklist |
