Branch Collection Changes and Merchandising Experience

This week I focused primarily on merchandising tasks around the library. I spent time placing books on empty display easels and making sure the displays looked neat, organized, and visually appealing for patrons visiting the branch. I also straightened shelves and aligned books so they were not crooked and looked tidy. These small tasks help create a welcoming environment and make it easier for patrons to browse the collection and discover materials they might want to read.

During the week, I also spoke with my branch supervisor and circulation supervisor about several upcoming changes to the branch collection. The branch is currently reorganizing parts of the collection to better use the space and meet the needs of the community. For example, the mystery section is being condensed, and the audiobook CDs are being moved to the back of the branch. These changes will help create room for expanding some of the community language collections.

The branch is planning to expand both the Spanish and Chinese collections and is also preparing to introduce a new Russian-language collection. In order to make space for these changes, some areas of the collection will need to be shifted and reorganized.

My supervisor also introduced me to the weeding guidelines from the Collection Services Department and explained how staff review materials when evaluating a collection. For example, items may be considered for weeding if they are in poor physical condition, such as having broken spines, torn or missing pages, or covers that are very worn or dirty. Nonfiction books may also be reviewed if the information they contain is outdated or no longer accurate. In addition, items that have not circulated for several years may be evaluated to determine whether they should remain in the collection.

Although I did not participate in weeding this week, my supervisor asked if I would be interested in helping weed the Spanish nonfiction collection in the coming weeks before the collection is moved. Because I am a Spanish speaker and certified to assist with Spanish translation at the library, this will allow me to use my language skills to help support Spanish-speaking patrons while also helping maintain the quality and relevance of the collection. I am looking forward to participating in this process and learning more about how libraries maintain useful and up-to-date collections for their communities.