Floating collections : a collection development model for long-term success

This easy-to-use, comprehensive guide shows how to establish a floating collection in any library--regardless of type or size.

Despite its increasing popularity, there are few published works about floating and floating collections. Virtually no one has addressed critical long-term issues like core collections, material selection, and weeding after floating has taken place. Floating Collections: A Collection Development Model for Long-Term Success makes all of this urgently needed information available in one place.

This unique guidebook defines "floating," explains the pros and cons, explores the impact of floating collections on collection work, and enables readers to establish a floating collection in any library. Not only does this book help librarians to decide rationally if, how, and when to float, it also outlines a how-to process for maximum success based on the real-world experience of many systems and identifies ways to maximize the advantages of a floating collection. In addition, the author addresses common collection concerns and outlines workable solutions for problematic issues that can arise.

• Acknowledgments p. xi
• Introduction to Floating Collections p. xiii
• Why Floating Works for Today's Libraries p. xiv
• A Word about eBooks p. xiv
• It Is Not All About the Money p. xiv
• Why a Book on Floating Collections? p. xv
• Organization p. xvi
• Methodology p. xvii
• Common Concerns That Are Addressed p. xvii
• Chapter 1 The History of Floating Collections p. 1
• Floating Collections p. 2
• How the Float Behaves-and Misbehaves p. 4
• The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Floating Collection p. 5
• Who Floats, Who Does Not, and Why p. 7
• Has Anyone Ever Quit Floating? p. 10
• Is Floating Right for Your Library System? p. 11
• Chapter 2 Deciding Whether or Not to Float the Collection p. 15
• Steering a Middle Course p. 18
• How Will Floating Affect the Patrons? p. 19
• How Will Floating Affect Circulation? p. 20
• How Will Floating Affect the Staff? p. 21
• How Will Floating Affect the Collection? p. 23
• How Will Floating Affect Fellow Consortia Libraries? p. 23
• Are There Other Mind-Bending, Paradigm-Shifting, Major Upheavals Taking Place? p. 24
• Have Like Libraries Converted Successfully to Floating? p. 24
• What Are the Hidden Costs or Risks? p. 24
• Is Now the Right Time to Centralize? p. 25
• What Is the Worst-Case Scenario? p. 26
• Whom to Involve p. 27
• Deciding to Float: Discussion Questions p. 27
• Chapter 3 Prediction and Preparation p. 29
• Branch Size and Circulation Rank p. 29
• Measuring Patron Behavior p. 30
• Predicting Success p. 32
• Calculating the Prefloat Percentage p. 33
• Tracking the Invisible Patron: Floating and the Hold Shelf p. 35
• Location, Location, Location p. 38
• Heed the Weed p. 40
• Interpreting Results p. 43
• Chapter 4 Communication: Preparing the Staff p. 47
• Staff Morale p. 47
• Managing the Change p. 48
• Staff Concerns before the Float p. 49
• Planning Staff Communication p. 52
• Branch Visits p. 54
• Rebalancing Work Group p. 55
• Postfloat Staff Concerns p. 56
• Chapter 5 Preparing the Collection to Float p. 59
• What Should NOT Float p. 60
• The High Cost of Bad Shelving Practices p. 61
• The 24-Door-to-Floor Shelving Method p. 63
• The Big Weed p. 68
• Chapter 6 Implementation and Postfloat Considerations p. 71
• Implementation and Postfloat Communication p. 71
• Postfloat Branch Visits p. 72
• The Postfloat Percentage p. 72
• Rebalancing p. 74
• The Float Is Right; the Shelves Axe Wrong p. 75
• Chapter 7 Managing a Floating Collection in the Long Term p. 81
• Selecting and Budgeting for a Floating Collection p. 82
• The Importance of Branch Visits for Selectors p. 85
• Floating and Circulation p. 88
• Patron Behavior, Not Staff Opinion p. 90
• Core Collection and Weeding p. 92
• Vetting Old Editions in a Floating Collection p. 93
• Weeding a Floating Collection p. 93
• Epilogue: Floating and the User Experience p. 101
• Floating and the User Experience p. 102
• Collection Work and the User Experience p. 102
• Facility Planning and Design and the User Experience p. 103
• Readers' Advisory, Merchandising/Displays, Programming and the User Experience p. 104
• Conclusion p. 104
• Appendix A 10 Great Reasons to Float p. 107
• Appendix B Partial List of Floating Libraries p. 110
• Appendix C Floating Risk Evaluation p. 112
• Appendix D Deciding to Float p. 113
• Appendix E Chart for Prefloat Branch Visits p. 115
• Appendix F Staff Communication p. 116
• Appendix G Communication Timeline p. 120
• Appendix H Sample 24-Door-to-Floor Cart Tag p. 121
• Bibliography p. 123
• Index p. 125