The focus of this assignment is collection policy evaluation.
The focus of this assignment is collection policy evaluation.
ChooseONEcollection policy from the following five:
University of Melbourne archives collection policyUsing your chosen collection policy, write anessay that introduces the collection and the policy, and evaluates the selection and acquisition approach of your chosen policy. Your essay should follow the structure below.
Introduction (~100 words)
Introduce the essay and what it will do.
Introduction to collection policy (~400 words)Write an introduction to the collection and policy you have chosen, identifying the organisation to which it belongs and discussing:
who the potential users of the collection might be and what information needs they might have.
how clearly the policy covers digital resources (websites, eBooks, online journals, etc.).
how clear the policy is to someone who knows nothing of libraries/archives; and
any other useful information about the collection, policy, or organisation.
Evaluating selection and acquisition (~1400 words)In this section you need to evaluate the policy against the following two criteria, using the points below to guide your discussion:
Access and acquisition:Many managers who are responsible for published materials are shifting from owning resources to instead ensuring provision of access. How does the policy guide access to the collection? What access is available and is this sufficient to meet the needs of the potential users? What are the provisions for user access? If electronic media are collected, is there provision for remote access to these? Is there remote access to bibliographic records, and if so, how is that access made available? Are there any non-standard restrictions on inter-library loan access? How well does this organisation outline and address potential access issues (e.g., legal, ethical)? For unpublished or unique materials, are access and acquisition handled differently? What issues are covered in the policy (eg donor requirements)?
Selection and deselection principles: In this collection policy, what principles are expected to guide those involved in the selection? These include: selection criteria for purchased materials of all kinds (including, currency, price, level, authority, etc.); criteria for gift material--are these the same as for purchased materials? If not, why not? What happens to material which is rejected? Are gifts accepted to which the donor has attached conditions? What does the organisation do with complaints about items in the collection? What categories of material are not acquired? Are there exclusions based on decisions based on physical format, price, age, language? Is there a deselection policy? Who weeds the collection? What criteria are applied? How regularly is weeding to take place? What is done with material removed from the collection?
Ensure your evaluation include references to appropriate scholarly resources to support your arguments and discussions.
Conclusion (~100 words)
Summarise your evaluation and conclude the essay.
It is expected that you delve into formal professional and research literature to discover new ideas in the profession and to and strengthen your arguments in your written work. Remember to cite the policy and guidelines you are using. All references should be cited using APA 7th format both in-text (parenthetical references) and in the final reference list at the end of your write-up.
Criteria High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Fail
Ability to identify and discuss the needs of collection stakeholders
(10 Marks) Assessment identifies relevant collection stakeholders and critically contextualises their needs within an organisational and societal context. This discussion is supported by both professional and theoretical literature. Assessment identifies at least two relevant collection stakeholders and contextualises their needs with appropriate and critical justification. Assessment identifies at least two relevant user groups of the collection and discusses their needs with appropriate justification. Assessment identifies at least two user groups of the collection and discusses their needs. Fails to identify collection stakeholders, or, identifies collection stakeholders but does not discuss their needs.
Ability to analyse historical, contemporary, and emerging trends and issues relevant to collection development practices
(10 Marks) Essay identifies and analyses relevant and unique contemporary trends and issues for the nominated collection and collection development practices. The analysis is critical and contextualised both globally and locally. Essay identifies and analyses relevant contemporary trends and issues for the nominated collection and collection development practices, with an appropriate and critical justification. Essay identifies and analyses relevant contemporary trends and issues for the nominated collection and collection development practices, with appropriate justification. Essay identifies and analyses contemporary trends and issues for the nominated collection and collection development practices. No analysis of contemporary and emerging trends and issues relevant to the nominated collection.
Be able to explain issues relating to the selection and acquisition of information resources.(10 Marks) Principles of selection and acquisition of information resources are critically discussed and applied to the collection that is the focus of the essay, and contextualised more widely. The discussion is supported by relevant evidence (both scholarly and professional), and examples are given that demonstrate an innovative approach to these principles. Principles of selection and acquisition of information resources are discussed and applied to the collection that is the focus of the essay, and contextualised more widely. The discussion is supported by relevant evidence (both scholarly and professional). Principles of selection and acquisition of information resources are discussed and applied to the collection that is the focus of the essay, supported by relevant evidence. Principles of selection and acquisition of information resources are discussed and applied to the collection that is the focus of the essay. Principles of selection and acquisition of information resources are not discussed; or are discussed widely and not in relation to the chosen collection.
Ability to exhibit ethical decision making and reasoning to identify solutions to issues such as access, censorship, budgeting, outsourcing and cooperative resource provision
(10 Marks) The essay demonstrates students ability to exhibit contextualised ethical decision making and use reasoning to identify relevant solutions to collection management issues. The solutions are supported with a highly relevant and evidence based rationale.
The essay demonstrates students ability to exhibit contextualised ethical decision making and use reasoning to identify relevant solutions to collection management issues. The solutions are supported with relevant literature and evidence. Essay demonstrates students ability to exhibit ethical decision making in context and use reasoning to identify solutions to collection management issues. The solutions are supported with relevant literature. Essay demonstrates students ability to exhibit ethical decision making and reasoning to identify solutions to collection management issues. The solutions are supported with evidence. Essay demonstrates no awareness of the complexity of issues in collection management.
Ability to express yourself clearly, appropriately and precisely, including accurate referencing using APA 7th
(10 Marks) Essay is written in the appropriate genre. Expression is clear, precise, engaging and articulate. Sentences and paragraphs skilfully constructed; within word limit and all sources acknowledged with high standard of referencing. Essay is written in the appropriate genre. Clear and concise writing; few errors in presentation and referencing; within word limit and all sources acknowledged correctly. Essay is written in the appropriate genre. Writing is clear, but with some errors in expression or in referencing; within word limit and all sources acknowledged with few errors. Essay is written in the appropriate genre. Expression and structure are adequate but could be improved; within word limit; may have poor proof-reading; may not acknowledge all sources correctly; referencing practice needs work. Essay is not written in the appropriate genre. Writing has major errors of expression; is not within word limit; sources inadequately acknowledged or generally poor referencing practice.
