CE Project Agreement for III-A-4 (001)

Inventory a collection

Word version of this agreement

Purpose: Learn to use a shelf list for inventorying library collections or, if the library shelf list is poor or does not exist, how to create a shelf list for future inventories.

Name of library:

Proposed completion date:

Core skill: III-A-4: “perform library operations including circulation, reference, interlibrary loan, reserves, registration of borrowers, collection management, computer maintenance and inventory control.”

Eligible participants: Librarians

Repeatable?: The same librarian can not repeat this project.

Do you want help from a CKLS consultant?
___ No help needed.
___ Yes, modify project agreement
___ Yes, suggest other readings or learning
___ Yes, early preparation visit
___ Yes, one-on-one coaching through activity
___ Yes, other: _______________________________

Learning component:

Attend a CE event or read the following materials.

• Read "Why Inventory" at http://tinyurl.com/6qygr4
• If the library has an automated catalog, read the "inventory" instructions in the automation system's official manual. Ignore the other readings below.
• Read “Library collection inventory with card shelf-list” for libraries with well-maintained shelf-list at http://tinyurl.com/4lhv7x (Word document)
• Work the following module.
  1. Print out the following sheets.
  • Spines of books of fiction and nonfiction shelves at http://tinyurl.com/43gheq (Word document)
  • Spines of books in other areas at http://tinyurl.com/4oggrp (Word document)
  • Fiction shelf-list at http://tinyurl.com/42rmn2 (Word document)
  • Nonfiction shelf-list at http://tinyurl.com/3zcdr7 (Word document)
  2. Follow the directions on the Self-list sheets to inventory book spines on shelves.
  3. Check your results

• Read “Creating a shelf list with a spreadsheet” for libraries with a poorly-maintained or no shelf list can create a shelf list with a spreadsheet at http://tinyurl.com/43hehp (Word document)

• Read “Creating a shelf list with LibraryThing” for libraries with a poorly-maintained or no shelf-list can create a shelf-list with LibraryThing at http://tinyurl.com/4cz4uc (Word document)

Library work component:

1. Follow one of the sets of directions below.
   
• If the library’s catalog is automated then follow the inventory directions in the manual.
  
• If the shelf-list is well-maintained, then follow the “Library collection inventory with card shelf-list” instructions in the Learning Component above.
• If the shelf-list is poorly maintained or non-existent, then follow the “Creating a shelf list with a spreadsheet” instructions in the Learning Component above. A partially created spreadsheet shelflist can be retrieved at http://tinyurl.com/4tnpkb (Excel document).
  
• If you would like to try put up an online catalog with LibraryThing, then follow “Creating a shelf list with LibraryThing” instructions in the Learning Component above.
2. Use the Inventory Chart at http://tinyurl.com/5hwwz8 (Word document) to mark progress through the collection.
   
3. Use the Bookmarks for weeding and inventory at http://tinyurl.com/5pxjdz (Word document) to mark those items that need specific kinds of attention other than inventorying.
4. To receive credit for completing this project do the following.
• If the library is automated, submit one inventory report.
  
• If the instructions for a well-maintained shelf-list were used, then submit a copy of the Inventory Chart at http://tinyurl.com/5hwwz8 (Word document) to show which sections were inventoried.
• If shelf-lists were created on spreadsheets, then email the spreadsheets as an attachment for the CKLS head of continuing Education.
• If an online catalog with LibraryThing was created, then email the URL to the catalog to the CKLS Head of Continuing Education.
• A filled out CE Project Agreement Evaluation form (Word document)