Collection Development
The “Collection Development” Working Group directly supports the mission of the Global Resources Network (GRN) by facilitating access to research and scholarly collections in the French language from around the world.
Financial and technological factors more than ever place a tremendous amount of stress on libraries’ operations and specifically on collection development budgets. The cost of unique, rare or unusual materials which are at the heart of scholarly research undertaken by faculty, researchers, graduate students, postgraduate and emerging scholars is becoming increasingly prohibitive.
Through its activities and collaboration with francophone partners, the Collection Development Working Group will establish a framework for developing strategies and initiate projects to foster the growth of and increase to access to French language print and electronic collections and lead to more effective collaboration among libraries.
Primary activities:
- Assess areas of scholarly interest among Francophone scholars
- Analyze relative strengths and areas in need of increased cooperation within our own institutions
- Develop methods of identification and assessment of collections
- Conduct inventories of collections using historical, geographical or thematic parameters
- Develop mechanisms and tools to lead to more effective cooperation and coordination among libraries
- Identify, monitor and review electronic products, when appropriate establishing contacts with vendors and assessing members' interest in negotiations. A current list of electronic resources available through CIFNAL is posted.
- Design methods for engaging CIFNAL colleagues in collection development activities
- Report regularly on the CIFNAL discussion list and at meetings to disseminate information and to seek feedback.
- Create and sustain a LibGuide that lists Digital Humanities projects in French and Francophone Studies that are currently underway in various parts of the world.
-
Create and sustain a database and map of very strong French and Francophone collections at institutions in the United States and Canada. The initial database was compiled by Anne-Charlotte Pivot, an intern from ENSSIB in 2017. Anne-Charlotte prepared a detailed explanation of the rationale behind the project and how to best use the database, which is available in both English and French. https://cifnalcollections.wordpress.com/
Engaging Francophone Partners
The Working Group “Engaging Francophone Partners” recruits members from higher education and research institutions in francophone countries. Efforts specifically target colleagues outside of North America, who may join either at the individual or the institutional level.
Primary activities:
- Develop and maintain an outreach plan and a list of activities that aim to engage francophone colleagues and advance the work of CIFNAL
- Build and develop relationships with academic and research librarians
- Participate in national and international professional events where francophone colleagues are likely to attend
- Promote CIFNAL goals and objectives within the francophone community using a variety of means of communication
- Coordinate and link the interests of francophone colleagues with the efforts of CIFNAL working groups and project teams; inviting francophone colleagues to participate in CIFNAL projects
- Report regularly on the CIFNAL discussion list and at meetings, sharing the group’s experience and seeking feedback
- Organize a regular CIFNAL Speaker Series
Documentation and member lists for CIFNAL’s Working Groups can be found in the CIFNAL Workspace.
The CIFNAL Workspace is a wiki tool that members can access to review and edit or add content. It is open only to CIFNAL Members. Contact the CRL representative for information on access to the Workspace.
