Collections management
Managing library collections in an ongoing and ever-changing process. Between monitoring community interests, cataloging print and digital materials, weeding and preserving, the work of catalogers and technical service staff is never complete. This section will connect you with information about materials acquisition, cataloging, circulation, collection development and maintenance, processing and preservation, and digitization.
Self-paced courses and webinar recordings on this topic are freely available in the WebJunction Course Catalog.
Photo: AS220, CC BY-NC 2.0
Most recently added
Expanding collections with a Library of Things
Publish Date: News / 21 August 2024
Everybody loves a Library of Things. Stories about these popular lending libraries are popping up all over mainstream and social media. Community members are heading to their local library branch to borrow everything from cookware and tools to prom d...
A Community-Centered Approach to Digital Collections
Publish Date: News / 16 July 2024
Digital collections offer a way to preserve local history and artifacts while showcasing the diverse stories and voices in your community that might be absent from your physical collection. Creating and curating a diverse collection requires intentio...
Seasonal selections: Summer reading list and book display roundup
Publish Date: News / 25 June 2024
Libraries in the northern hemisphere are diving into a vibrant season of summer reading, and we want to spotlight some of your creative book displays, reading lists, and other reading initiatives. Check out how other libraries are commemorating Audio...
Partner with indie authors to share diverse stories
Publish Date: News / 11 June 2024
Despite efforts to increase representation in publishing, the industry remains predominantly white. Authors of color often face a range of challenges, including difficulty finding literary agents, limited access to publishing opportunities, and insuf...
Reading in the balance: Exploring the role of public library in the ‘science of reading’
Publish Date: News / 26 March 2024
Learning to read is neither an innate nor simple process, and recently there has been increased scrutiny on whether schools are effectively preparing children to learn to read. Colloquially referred to as “the reading wars,” this scrutiny has led to ...
Switching it Up! Creating a Video Game Collection for Your Library
Publish Date: Webinar / 22 February 2024
Learn how to create, maintain, and promote a new video game collection at your library.
Inclusive collections for supercharged storytimes
Publish Date: News / 27 December 2023
Storytimes can be transformative for children, offering them the chance to imagine possible futures for themselves. This begins with the stories you include. Look around your community and consider which books in your collection reflect the experienc...
Explore the Digital Stewardship Lifecycle
Publish Date: News / 15 August 2023
WebJunction created the Digital Collections Stewardship course series to help staff at smaller public and tribal libraries, archives and museums understand and navigate the work of creating, sharing and preserving digital collections of unique images...
AI and libraries: Enhancing services and engaging communities
Publish Date: Webinar / 9 August 2023
Learn about AI fundamentals, its relevance to libraries of all sizes and types, and how it can enhance services and engage communities.
Learn Digital Collections Stewardship with on-demand courses
Publish Date: News / 16 May 2023
OCLC's WebJunction, in partnership with Washington State University’s Center for Digital Scholarship and Curation, has created a series of free online courses developed for staff at tribal archives, libraries, museums (TALMs), and small public librar...