ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries 434 / C&RL News Checklist for the new selector By Catherine E. P asterczyk Technical Inform ation Specialist Sandia National Laboratories Finding out about your department’s collection development needs. W o r k i n g with faculty and students in the provi­ sion of adequate library materials and reference services for the support of the research and teach­ ing functions of the university is one of the most sat­ isfying aspects of reference and bibliographic work in an academic setting. The more one knows about a department, the research interests of its mem­ bers, the problems they are working on, and situa­ tions they face within the university milieu, the better the librarian is able to make a case for ade­ quate and appropriate support by the library. Most academic libraries have an established channel of communication via library committees or liaisons. It behooves the librarian to try to get up to speed quickly in knowledge of departmental needs; hence a meeting between whatever formal departmental liaison exists and the new selector is a fairly immediate necessity. Although the first meeting is likely to be primar­ ily an information gathering mission by the librar­ ian, all meetings are two-way streets and a certain amount of preparation is required. Obviously the librarian’s field of expertise is knowledge of the means and methods available to support depart­ mental information needs. So some knowledge of the tools-of-the-trade is required prior to the meet­ ing as is knowledge of the specific levels of support currently and likely to be available for purchasing library materials. The checklists below should provide a reason­ able starting point and reminder of the types of questions it would be reasonable to ask during a first meeting with a liaison as well as an aid for the preparation that should precede this meeting. Questions to ask departmental liaisons The Faculty Who are the members of your department? What are their ranks? What are their research interests? How many graduate students are under each? What publications does each member receive? Are there any visiting professors or lecturers? Are there any endowed chairs? Who are the new faculty members? Are there any vacant positions in the depart­ ment? What type of person will fill these positions? What languages are read by persons within the department? Are there any editors or members of editorial boards? Who has funding from grants? What are the amounts? What are the sources? The staff and students What is the number of undergraduate majors and minors? How many graduate students are there in the de­ partment? Research assistants? Research fellows? Teaching assistants? Others? July /August 1988 / 435 The departm ent Where do you see the department going? W hat do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of the department? W hat is the relationship between this depart­ ment and other departments and with the univer­ sity administration? Are there special facilities, collections, land holdings, etc., that are resources for the depart­ ment? Are there any affiliated research institutions? W hat concerns, other than those dealing with the library, does the department have? Is a tour of the department possible? C om m unication Are there department get-togethers? Are there departmental meetings that it would be appropriate for myself or the head librarian to attend and speak about the library? Are there mailing lists for seminars, colloquia, or departmental newsletters that I could be added to? Is the faculty on B IT N E T or another network? Is there a bulletin board where announcements of new publications by department members are posted? Is there a bulletin board with photographs of the department faculty and staff? The library W hat impressions do you have of services and materials currently provided by the library? W hat is your current relationship with the li­ brary? How can it better meet your needs? Is there a departmental library or reading room? W hat services exist for it? How is it staffed and funded? Is the collection cataloged? The curriculum Are there lists of textbooks used for courses? W h a t new courses and/or program s are planned? W hat courses do you recommend I take to be­ come more familiar with the department? Publications Are there handouts that are given to new stu­ dents showing what is available to them or ex­ pected of them? Are there handouts of lists of required courses for various degree programs? Are there handouts for student recruiting? Does the department publish a technical report series, a journal, occasional papers, etc.? Advance preparations Is there a list of faculty publications? W hat kind of support can the library give this area? Obtain a breakdown of the budget. Are there library endowments for publications? W hat are the current expenditures and encum­ brances? Obtain a list of subscriptions and standing or­ ders. W hat special services are currently being pro­ vided to the department? Routing journals? Cur­ rent awareness? Look at the bulletin boards in the department. Look through course offerings. Are there any lectures or courses regularly taught by the selector/bibliographer? Does a collection development policy exist for the department? Look through the files kept by the previous in­ cumbent of the position. Questions for the previous incumbent Who are the heavy library users? Who requests a large number of library materi­ als? W hat is the best opportunity for informal inter­ actions with members of the department? W hat are your impressions of how the liaison re­ lationship is working? Is there anything about this department I should know that your notes and files won’t tell me? Will you join me for my first meeting with the liaison? Questions the department will ask you W hat is your subject background? W hat are your other professional q u alifica­ tions? Music Library Association awards The Music Library Association is soliciting applications for the fourth W alter Gerboth Award, established in memory of a member of MLA who was professor of music at Brooklyn College and head of the music library there. The award is given to a member of the Music Library Association who is in the first five years of his or her library career, and who is seeking assistance for a research project in progress in music librarianship or music bibliography. An application should be accompanied by two let­ ters of support, one for the person and one for the project, and should include a vita as well as names of further references. It should describe the project and its significance and show the to­ tal budget, specifying the amount requested (up to $500), sources of other funds if any, and the purpose of the funds requested. Applications should be submitted by Novem­ ber 15, 1988, to Gerboth Award, c/o James W. Pruett, Chief, Music Division, Library of Con­ gress, Washington, DC 20540.