








































Collection Evaluation 
& Development


13

Collection Evaluation  
& Development
Ellen Frost, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University,  
Secretary

INTEREST GROUP REPORTS

MEMBERS PRESENT

• Craig Kubic, Chair, Southwestern Baptist Theological Semi-
nary

• Daniel Baek, Vancouver School of Theology
• W (Wynette) Field, William Booth College, London
• Ellen Frost, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
• Stephanie Garrett, Catholic Distance University
• Caitlin Soma, Candler School of Theology, Emory University
• Andy Thomas, Covenant Theological Seminary
• Lee Webb, Saint Paul School of Theology, Oklahoma City Uni-

versity
• Jean Wu, China Evangelical Seminary North America

AGENDA

The Collection Evaluation and Development Interest Group held an 
initial in-person meeting in Baltimore on June 17th over breakfast; 
during this meeting, the group began the conversation of whether 
the group should continue to meet.  Those present decided to defer 
the topic to the larger virtual meeting the following week.



14  A NNUA L Y E A RBOOK

The Collection Evaluation and Development IG met again on 
June 23.  Craig Kubic broached the topic of the sustainability of 
the interest group; he stated that if the group was to continue, we 
should plan a program for the 2023 conference.  He also said in his 
current role at his library, he needs to step down from the chair 
position of the interest group.

Ellen Frost mentioned a presentation by Dr. Bridget Green (edi-
tor for Westminster John Knox) at the SWATLA Regional Group 
spring meeting.  She described Dr. Green’s talk, including WJK’s 
retrospective approach to making ebooks available for libraries.  
The group discussed the possibility of hosting a panel of editors or 
representatives from church presses.  Ideas included:

• Representatives could help us understanding pro-
cesses and pricing models.

• Representatives who aren’t making their materials 
available electronically could help us understand 
their reasoning.

• This could help religious and theological libraries 
help drive the narrative for ebooks.

• This could help us explain to publishers how the 
difference between Kindle versus simultane-
ous perpetual access, particularly books that are 
searchable, impacts the libraries.

• This could allow us to give voice to our questions 
such as why Yale would give Bloomsbury the abil-
ity to publish Anchor Bible online.

Possible presses to approach included Westminster John Knox, 
Abingdon, Augsburg Fortress, and Liturgical Press.  There may be 
others that interest us.

Another possible topic for future conferences or futures webi-
nars is Multilingual Collection.  Dr. Kubic mentioned that the CEAD 
IG has sponsored one online webinar through Atla; this is another 
possibility open to the group.

Dr. Kubic then asked for volunteers for a newly formed steering 
committee.  These members are:

• Lee Webb

• Caitlin Soma



Interest Group Reports  15

• Ellen Frost

• Craig Kubic

ROUND ROBIN REPORTS

Vancouver School of Theology, University of British Columbia –
instituted reciprocal borrowing; they are serving three mainline 
denominations as well as distance students; Baek expressed will-
ingness to help with Korean-language materials.

William Booth College, London – interested in receiving copies of 
other institutions’ collection development policies; hosting an on-
line conference on July 5th; expressed a need for Czech materials.

Saint Paul School of Theology – campus is increasing the number 
of remote students, so the library is faced with providing access to 
more materials.

Covenant Theological Seminary – new collection development li-
brarian trying to update collection development policy regarding 
what to purchase in print versus e-book; also reviewing subscrip-
tions and software provided; have started providing controlled 
digital lending.

Chinese Evangelical Seminary – library needs more materials 
more books in English and Chinese; providing controlled digital 
lending.

Candler School of Theology, Emory University – Soma handles all 
collections that are not considered special collections, supervises 
circulation and course reserves.

Catholic Distance University – provides resources electronic, but 
sometimes print (tactile) makes a difference for students.

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary – hosting 2023 con-
ference, library services changing; providing digital access to items 
that are SWBTS imprints.

Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University –  
neighboring city to 2023 hosted conference; library faced with sev-
eral retirements this year; trying to provide electronic access to as 
much as possible due to increasing number of distance students.



16  A NNUA L Y E A RBOOK

OTHER

Several people mentioned that they are creating or updating col-
lection development policies and are interested in reading other 
seminary libraries’ policies.  If you are willing to share your policy, 
please share with collegelibrary@salvationarmy.org.uk and jean-
wu@cesna.edu

If others are interested in sharing or receiving collection de-
velopment policies, please post a message to the CEAD listserv 
atlacead-l@atlanow.com. If individuals are not receiving emails 
from the listserv, please contact Atla staff at connect@atla.com.

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