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Collection Evaluation  
& Development
Ellen Frost, Southern Methodist University

MEMBERS PRESENT

• Craig Kubic, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Chair
• Terence Sheridan, Amridge University
• Gerrit van Dyk, Brigham Young University
• Tammy Johnson, Columbia Theological Seminary
• Ellen Frost, Southern Methodist University

AGENDA

Since the Collection Evaluation and Development Interest Group 
was involved in programming for Atla Annual 2020, the purpose of 
the 2020 Interest Group meeting was to discuss possible programs 
or areas of interest for the 2021 conference.

INSTITUTIONAL REPORTS

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Library is open for appointments only at this time; the library staff 
has been downsized during the pandemic. Collection development 
is moving to an e-book model primarily.

Amridge University
Amridge has a skeletal crew on campus during the pandemic; 
Terence Sheridan is the sole librarian. The library is trying to provide 

INTEREST GROUP MEETINGS



Interest Group Meetings  15

access to materials using PDA through Ebook Central; they are having 
problems obtaining access to recent journal issues.

Brigham Young University
BYU library has been open during this time but with limited service 
(only circulation and ILL articles) and only to campus (no commu-
nity patrons). The archives are scheduled to reopen in July after clos-
ing in March, but still only for campus users and with significantly 
reduced hours. In the fall, the library is implementing a plan to have 
more reference desks opened but with full face screens and only one 
employee at each desk at a time.

Columbia Theological Seminary
Columbia is currently closed with public services staff filling requests 
for things not available online. They have been downsizing staff over 
the years, so no layoffs have occurred as a result of the pandemic. 
All classes this fall will be online. The library migrated from Sirsi-
Dynix to Koha during the shutdown; patrons are pleased with the 
new system.

Southern Methodist University
Campus is gradually re-opening with a plan for blended classes 
(online and in person) in the fall. Bridwell Library is closed for 
renovation, so library staff are working from a variety of locations, 
including home and temporary office spaces. Public services is fill-
ing requests for things not available online through curbside pickup 
and mail.

OTHER

Possible Programs Discussion:

• Accessing books not in print or out of print
• Making our collections accessible in a COVID world
• Accessing books not available online
• Long-term planning to access collections 40–50 years from now
• What are we doing as Atla so materials are not lost? Should 

there be an Atla Historical Monographs Collection 3, 4, and 5?



16  A NNUA L Y E A RBOOK

2019–20 GROUP: [pictured, left to right] Craig Kubic, Ellen Frost


