Document Type
Dataset
Publication Date
2026
Date of Collection: Start Date
4-21-2025
Date of Collection: End Date
5-16-2025
Description
Survey results are published in table format for accessibility, as well as an additional document of visual representations of data in the form of charts and graphs. Both files are available for download.
Abstract
This submission is aggregated survey results comprising the supplemental material for a case study that will be published in late 2026 or early 2027, with all free-text comments removed. A version of this survey with de-identified comments included is available through the Medical Library Association Collection Development Caucus’s archives, which requires membership for access (https://www.mlanet.org/communities/caucuses).
Below is the case study abstract:
The work of health sciences collection development librarians can be isolating as they are often the sole person responsible for stewarding the collection at their institution. This case study explores the iterative process of information and experience sharing created by members of the Medical Library Association (MLA) Collection Development Caucus (CDC) leadership team to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive collection development community. Since 2021, MLA CDC has spearheaded two projects to bring together collection development librarians, support those new to the profession, and deepen our professional expertise and resilience. Our first project involved over a year of extensive writing and collaboration with caucus members to publish the second edition of Health Sciences Collection Development: An Overview of Fundamental Knowledge and Practices (https://doi.org/10.21974/1tsq-na64). This significantly updated work provides librarians with key concepts about the field and is published on an Open Educational Resource (OER) platform that can be regularly updated and receive public comments. Following the ebook publication, the caucus began hosting and co-sponsoring open monthly forums on timely collection development and management topics, including some that overlap with ebook sections and the work of other MLA caucuses. These forums create a space for librarians to discuss their collection-related experiences and challenges, and brainstorm potential approaches together. In order to more widely document our members’ knowledge, forum discussions have led to regular publication updates and new sections in the ebook. Average forum attendance has been 30-40 participants. Survey results (n=29, 29/271 or 10.7%) on the impact of the monthly forums and ebook on MLA CDC members affirmed that these activities help reduce feelings of professional isolation.
File Format
Language
English
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Is Part Of
VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Data
Date of Submission
2-27-2026
Survey Results_Visual Data