Library Book Selection Decisions and Selectors' Effectiveness: Differences among Librarians, Faculty, and Students

Autor/inn/en	Walters, William H.; Gormley, John; Handfield, Amy E.; López-Fitzsimmons, Bernadette M.; Markgren, Susanne; Paradise, Laurin; Sheehan, Sarah E.
Titel	Library Book Selection Decisions and Selectors' Effectiveness: Differences among Librarians, Faculty, and Students
Quelle	In: College & Research Libraries, 81 (2020) 4, S.617-645 (29 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0010-0870
Schlagwörter	Library Materials; Reading Material Selection; Decision Making; Librarians; College Faculty; Books; Selection Criteria; Undergraduate Students; Individual Characteristics; Natural Sciences; Social Sciences; Humanities; Book Reviews; Expertise; Competence; New York (New York) + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Decision-making; Entscheidungsfindung; Librarian; Bibliothekar; Bibliothekarin; Fakultät; Book; Buch; Monographie; Monografie; Selection criterion; Auslesekriterium; Personality characteristic; Personality traits; Persönlichkeitsmerkmal; Naturwissenschaften; Social science; Sozialwissenschaften; Gesellschaftswissenschaften; Geisteswissenschaften; Humanwissenschaften; Book reviewing; Book review; Rezension; Expert appraisal; Kompetenz
Abstract	This study examines the book selections of 22 Manhattan College librarians, faculty, and students who were asked to make "yes" or "no" decisions for 287 books reviewed in CHOICE. It focuses on four research questions. First, "What characteristics are associated with selected and nonselected books?" Although there is only modest agreement among selectors, "yes" decisions are associated with favorable reviews, appropriateness for lower-division undergraduates, reasonable price, publication by a university press, and the absence of caveats in the review. The results suggest that selectors are willing to relax certain selection criteria if others are exceeded, that selectors' generally favorable attitudes toward multidisciplinary works do not extend to all such books, and that titles in areas unfamiliar to the selector are less likely to be chosen. Second, "What are the key differences among the book selections of librarians, faculty, and undergraduates?" Although there are minor differences among all three groups, the main finding is that students' selections are relatively unpredictable and less closely linked to particular book and review characteristics. Third, "What are the key differences among the book selections of specialists (faculty and librarians) in the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities?" Although the three subject groups are similar in their yes/no decisions and in the characteristics of the books they choose, most selectors demonstrate a strong tendency to favor books in their own subject areas. Finally, "What individual characteristics are associated with effectiveness as a book selector?" Librarians and faculty are equally effective, overall. Faculty have an advantage among selectors without book selection experience, but the positive impact of experience is greater for librarians than for faculty. In contrast, students are relatively ineffective selectors, and their choices are not closely related to those of other students, faculty, or librarians. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Association of College and Research Libraries. 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. e-mail: acrl@ala.org; Web site: http://crl.acrl.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01