Optimizing Crafts Resources at Santa Cruz Public Libraries

Chinese Librarianship: an International Electronic Journal, 29. URL: http://www.iclc.us/cliej/cl26hui.pdf
Beyond Keeping Warm:
Optimizing Crafts Resources at Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Hui-Lan H. Titangos
Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Santa Cruz, California
United States
titangosh@santacruzpl.org
ABSTRACT: Collection on crafts is one of the most popular categories at
Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Despite its popularity, it is not without
challenges. Book funding, for instance, has not only seen no increase since
2003, but is also faced with possible budget cuts with today’s economic
downturn. In this paper, the author seeks an optimization of crafts
resources within the limits of budget, space and energy.
July 2008 marked the second anniversary of my new collection development
responsibility in the subject area of Applied Arts. On the eve of my new assignment, I
was at once excited and vexed with misgivings. My excitement rose from the fact that
applied arts, commonly known as crafts, are always a familiar and fascinating subject
to me, being a knitter[1] myself. My misgivings, on the other hand, were weighty. A
brief glance at the collection told me that the existing books showed serious signs of
aging: a great majority of craft books in the catalog of Santa Cruz Public Libraries
were dated back in the 90s or earlier decades. "It is a very popular area," I was duly
warned. My predecessors were seen to spend a substantial part of their time, filling
and filtering large stacks of user requests. "Do I have any time left after my other
collection responsibilities and cataloging/reference duties?" I asked myself time and
again.
Two and a half years later, I have not only survived my former misgivings, but also
reaped abundant positive experiences in the increasing popularity of nonfiction in
general, crafts in particular. In addition, I have gained valuable insight into optimizing
crafts resources with a limited book budget and unlimited user expectations. Unlike
my predecessors, I am not burdened with users' requests during my normal working
day. They do come in regularly, but only in a trickling manner. So what is the key to
this turnaround? More importantly, what does this popularity signify to us as library
professionals? The following is a summary of my experience.
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Chinese Librarianship: an International Electronic Journal, 29. URL: http://www.iclc.us/cliej/cl26hui.pdf
I. Community’s Enthusiasm for Crafts
Santa Cruz County is situated on California's Central Coast, 65 miles south of San
Francisco and 35 miles north of Monterey. It boasts a population of 251,747 based on
the U.S. Census Bureau 2007 estimate[2]. Flanked by 29 miles of sun-drenched
beaches and the redwood forested Santa Cruz Mountains, it holds an average
temperature of 68.7В°F (20В°C) in summer and 57В°F (13В°C) in winter. Like many
communities in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Cruz County has a high
concentration of musicians, artists and craftsmen, born locally or settled down from
all over the world. They are attracted by its mild climate, beautiful landscape, and
liberal politics, which in turn have fostered and nurtured artistic creations and skillful
craftsmanship.
In Santa Cruz County, art events and festivals are held all year round by local
organizations such as Santa Cruz Art League, the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and
History, the Santa Cruz Institute of Contemporary Arts which presents First Friday
Art Tour each month, and the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County which hosts
Open Studios Art Tour every October. Apart from the above events, festivals and
tours, a substantial component of a crafts movement exists around us. People of all
ages are inspired either by the artistic community, or motivated by personal, spiritual
or social reasons, especially after September 11 of 2001 and the Iraq War of 2002.
They express themselves by hand-made containers, covers and supports with natural
materials such as clay, glass, wood, fiber and metal. As President Jimmy Carter sums
up most eloquently, "The beauty of craftsmanship is that it has the capacity to engage
each of us in activities that nurture our humanity, satisfy our need to express ourselves,
and give us the opportunity to learn with our hands in ways that are not possible with
our minds alone."[3]
In November 2006, Tina Baine, a Santa Cruz newspaper writer, proclaimed in her Do
It Yourself column that "If you browse in the crafts section of your local library or
bookstore, you’ll discover that the majority of craft books are written about quilting
and knitting. There are others there (scrapbooking is definitely taking some space on
the shelves these days), but it appears that the vast majority of crafty people are
creating practical items to keep their families warm, just as their
great-great-grandmothers did more than a century ago."[4] To a great extent, the
statement has captured the community’s enthusiasm for crafts. There are at least six
popular crafts in Santa Cruz County: knitting/crocheting, quilting, ceramics, glass,
woodworking and jewelry, among which knitting/crocheting and quilting are two
most popular media. Because of this factor, combined with my personal knowledge
and practice, this paper will be weighted heavily toward the subject area of
knitting/crocheting. A further consideration lies in the fact that "Being able to �work
in any medium," as Vasari contends of the fine artist, "has never been true of the craft
artists. Each craft area remains distinct and quite separate within its own material
domain. Each is centered on specific techniques, techniques dictated by its specific
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material, so much so that technical knowledge and technical manual skills acquired in
one area usually do not carry over to another."[5]
II. Crafts: Beyond Keeping Warm
Knitting
Knitting. [87 titles]
Search also under: Afghans (Coverlets) (22 titles)
Search also under: Knitted lace (4 titles)
Search also under: Machine knitting (3 titles)
Knitting -- Bolivia. [1 title]
Knitting -- Channel Islands -- Guernsey -- Patterns. [1 title]
Knitting -- Iceland -- Patterns. [1 title]
Knitting -- Ireland -- Aran Islands -- Patterns. [4 titles]
Knitting -- Latvia -- Patterns. [1 title]
Knitting -- Norway -- Patterns. [1]
Knitting -- Patterns. [225]
Crocheting
Crocheting. (35)
see also narrower term Afghans (Coverlets) (22)
see also narrower term Lace and lace making. (9)
Crocheting -- England. [1]
Crocheting -- Patterns. [71]
The above is a snapshot of collection on knitting/crocheting, residing currently in the
catalog of Santa Cruz Public Libraries. In the fiscal year of 2006-2007, I bought more
than 77 titles on knitting/crocheting, nearly three times that of previous annual orders.
However, library users' insatiable demand is unprecedented. As soon as new orders
appear in the library catalog, newer request on knitting will be made. There are eleven
branches in Santa Cruz Public Libraries, among which Felton, La Selva Beach and
Outreach are the smallest branches. Normally, these three branches do not have high
demands for nonfiction titles. Knitting/crocheting, however, is an exception. I have
been asked time and again to assign to them more knitting titles. They are circulating
and people cannot have enough of them.
Unlike their great-great-grandmothers over a century ago, today’s quilters and knitters
are no longer performing their crafts just to keep their families warm. These two
crafts are no longer just for grandmas. "The quilting community is now 27 million
strong. The number of quilters in the United States has more than doubled in the past
ten years, according to a 2006 survey commissioned by the National Quilter’s
Magazine and the International Quilt Market and Festival."[6] In Santa Cruz County,
there are many quilting clubs and organizations, most noticeable of which is the
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Pajaro Valley Quilt Association that has just completed its 30th annual county fair in
the city of Watsonville.
Knitting, on the other hand, shows an even greater number. "According to a 2004
survey by the Craft Yarn Council of America (CYCA), 53 million women nationwide
knit or crochet."[7] Since then, neither their number nor enthusiasm has shown any
sign of slowing down, based on the latest "CYCA's tracking research, which was
initiated in 1994, has documented knitters' and crocheters' passion for their crafts, and
their enthusiasm is continuing strong in 2008."[8] In Santa Cruz County, Knitting
Guild of Santa Cruz is open to knitters of all skill levels. Members meet regularly the
third Tuesday of each month for the day meeting, and the second Tuesday of each
month for the night meeting. The annual Santa Cruz County Fair has special prize
categories for knitting and crocheting. There are five major outlets for yarn and
supplies in the area, namely Beverley’s Fabrics, the Golden Fleece, the Yarn Place,
the Swift Stitch, and Luminous Threads. They have their own websites and blogs,
echoing a nationwide trend: "The last few years have seen record-breaking yarn sales,
a burst of knitting-inspired blogs and Web sites. A TV program called Knitty Gritty
and several new fiction books ('knit lit' that have as their premise the friendship
formed in knitting circles."[9] For such an old craft as knitting/crocheting, a new and
vital renaissance has taken place in this community.
1. New Understanding
Today’s knitters, especially those younger knitters in their 20’s and 30’s, have found
knitting a satisfying avenue for DIY (Do It Yourself). To create something at once
beautiful and functional out of skeins of yarn is not only an eloquent way to satisfy
human being’s basic creative urges, but also an effective way to resist commercialism
and mass consumption. Through this DIY with their own hands, knitters have come to
a new understanding with the world, for "Unlike the machine which is characterized
by unlimited power and endless production, the human hand is limited in size,
strength, skill, and even endurance and speed. These limits not only establish the scale
of craft objects, but because they are limits shared by all humans, whether craftsmen
or not, they also give us a sense of how to relate to other things in the world,
man-made as well as natural. In doing this the hand provides a basic, universal gauge
of what constitutes the human in terms of scale and proportion, material and form; it
offers a standard with which to judge quality and to differentiate abundance from
excess."[10]
2. New Connectivity
Knitting involves a complete social network either in person or digitally. It requires
connectivity and human interaction during the process of fermenting a project idea,
purchasing accessories and supplies, and completing the project. Mary Colucci,
Executive Director of CYCA, points out that "These enthusiasts love to share their
talents and time to help others. One-third made a project for charity last year and they
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told us what they'd like to see more of. For instance, they like gathering together with
other knitters and crocheters to share ideas and network."[11] The craving for sharing
ideas and network is one of the charms of knitting. The creation of knitters' web sites,
blogs and wikis is by no means accidental. They display their accomplishments as
well as discuss their immediate problems and concerns. Three out of the five yarn
outlets mentioned above in Santa Cruz County: Golden Fleece, Swift Stitch and the
Yarn Place provide both collective and private classes to customize students' time
schedule. The class fee is minimal, with the goal to help them learn knitting basics,
and accomplish specific projects. Sometimes an emergency class is called for when a
student stumbles on an insurmountable obstacle during the process. In essence, people
knit or learn to knit, not just to keep their families warm by making such practical
items as covers, sweaters and hats. More importantly, they need each other as a
support group.
3. New Meditative/Therapeutic
Knitting is very meditative. "The meditative and spiritual qualities of knitting can also
yield inward revolutions. It can be healing to stitch in a corner by yourself or in a
group, working with your hands to create something beautiful out of a ball of string.
For one thing, you can’t rush. You have to slow down and focus on what’s directly in
front of you—a salve for the over-processed, over-analytical mind."[12]
Nowadays, many women suffer from various cancers. "In 2007, an estimated 178,480
new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women, as well as an
estimated 62,030 additional cases of in situ breast cancer."[13] Under such stressful
circumstances, knitting has become one of the good companions for cancer patients to
have as they go through their medical treatments and therapies. Creating new projects
takes the mind off imminent surgeries, debilitating chemotherapies and irritant
radiation therapies. Completing knitting projects brings them new hope and enhances
a positive attitude toward life. The whole process has proven therapeutic.
4. New Way to Continue Tradition
According to Carol Sauvion, Executive Director of Craft in America, "American craft,
with a history that begins before the written word, continues to evolve. The past two
centuries in particular have provided a stimulus for craft artists—artists who work
with clays, fiber, metal, and wood, rather than paint or watercolor—who find a wide
and varied audience and market for their creations. Our communities and schools, our
ethnic and religious groups have all played a part in this ongoing story."[14]
Fiber, one of the four major natural materials for craft artists, provides
knitters/crocheters with a firm footing in both nature and culture. By using the same
tools, i.e., needles and material, they are preserving the tradition of knitting/crocheting
skills and advancements brought from the old countries, passed from mother to
daughter, teacher to student and friend to friend. Furthermore, they are continuing the
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commitment to excellence and craftsmanship in a new stylistic form of the 21st
century. It confirms the conclusion of Claude LГ©vi-Strauss, a French structural
anthropologist, that "The survival of a custom or a belief can in fact be explained in
two ways. Either the custom or belief is a survival without any other significance than
that of an historical residue spared by chance or as a result of extrinsic causes, or else
it has survived because through the centuries it has continued to play a role and
because this role is the same as might account for its initial appearance."[15]
Apparently, the popularity of knitting/crocheting belongs to the latter.
III. Impact on Libraries: Collections
Writer Anne Lamott defines most aptly the basic role of our libraries, "A free library
is a revolutionary notion, and when people don’t have free access to books, then
communities are like radios without batteries. You cut people off from essential
sources of information—mythical, practical, linguistic, or political and you break
them. You render them helpless in the face of political oppression. We were not going
to let this happen."[16] In the same breath, she outlines the rare role of librarians, "We
were there to celebrate some of the rare intelligence capabilities that our country can
actually be proud of—those of librarians. I see them as healers and magicians.
Librarians can tease out of inarticulate individuals enough information about what
they are after to lead them on the path of connection. They are trail guides through the
forest of shelves and aisles—you turn a person loose who has limited skills, and he’ll
be walloped by the branches. But the librarians match up readers with the right books:
�Hey, is this too complicated? Then why don’t you give this one a try?'"[17]
Here Lamott has made home two important points: 1) To empower our communities,
our libraries need to provide them with essential sources of information; and 2) To
further empower our communities, we librarians need to match up our users with the
right books or information. Looking back at my past year’s experience, I am happy to
recall that I have stayed focused on these two points for my collection development in
the area of Crafts.
1. Core Collection to Guide
For two years in a row, I have been following as guidance Brad Hooper’s Top Ten
Books on Crafts & Hobbies published annually in the December issue of Booklist.[18]
When first starting the crafts collection, I didn’t have such guidance in the crafts
selection. Against the 2006’s top ten list, I was only able to locate two titles in the
whole catalog of Santa Cruz Public Libraries, i.e., Michaels Book of Wedding Crafts
and Luxury Knitting. In order to constantly present to library users a complete
spectrum of crafts titles, I immediately added eight titles to complete the yearly list.
The following year was just the opposite: I only added two more titles after the
publication of the 2007’s top ten list, as I had already purchased the majority of titles
on earlier occasions. Recently, I have revisited them and found them all utilized by
our patrons. Needless to say, those top ten lists have served as a core guideline for our
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users to pursue and be informed of new approaches to the world of crafts. The
following is an example from 2007’s list.
1. Amigurumi! Super Happy Crochet Cute / Elisabeth A. Doherty.
2. The Big Book of Cross-Stitch Designs: Over 900 Simple-to-Stitch Decorative
Motifs.
3. Crafts in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects / Jo
Lauria and Steve Fenton.
4. Crochet in No Time: A Simple, Stylish Collection of 52 Quick-Crochet
Projects / Melody Griffiths.
5. Domiknitrix: Whip Your Knitting into Shape / Jennifer Stafford.
6. Get a Hobby! 101 All-Consuming Diversions for Any Lifestyle / Tina
Barseghian.
7. Handmade Greeting Cards for Special Occasions: Step-by-Step Techniques &
Original Creative Projects to Make / Amanda Hancocks.
8. Knit Kimono: 18 Designs with Simple Shapes / Vicki Square.
9. Knitting with Balls: A Hands-on Guide to Knitting for the Modern Man /
Michael del Vecchio.
10. Stitch It: Over 20 Specially Commissioned Projects for Stylish Soft
Furnishings / Katie Ebben.
2. Anticipating Needs vs. Passively Filling Requests
I prefer to order as many new titles as possible, if I can find good ones from Booklist,
Publishers' Weekly and specialized publishers' catalogs. In the fiscal year of 2007, I
filled 57 requests but ordered 138 new titles on popular craft titles on clays, metal,
woodwork, pottery/ceramics, beading, glass, paper art as well as on quilting and
knitting. By doing so, I have drastically reduced my time on filling users' requests.
More often than not, my order has anticipated and met their needs. In this way, I stay
ahead of the curve, rather than passively one step behind users' demands. This is a
very good PR (public relation) for the library to show that their tax money is being
used efficiently.
3. Readers Advisory (RA) for Both External and Internal Users
In Exploring Nonfiction[19], Neal Wyatt outlines four powerful elements for RA
librarians to consider: narrative, subject, appeal and type, of which I especially find
the last three elements beneficial in my RA work.
i. Power of Subject
A year ago I received a request for Lion Brand Yarn Just Throws/Shawls from one of
our eleven branch libraries. Since I purchased four available titles from the Lion
Brand Yarn Just Series and did not have any recollection of Throws/Shawls as a part
of title, I contacted the patron by email and suggested the last title listed below.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Lion Brand yarn just bags. (1)
Lion Brand yarn just hats. (1)
Lion Brand yarn just scarves. (1)
Lion Brand yarn just wraps. (1)
The reason why neither the patron nor the branch staff was able to identify title #4 lies
in the fact that shawls are a subject heading, but not part of the title to retrieve.
Shawls.
Knitting -- Patterns.
Crocheting -- Patterns.
Hours after I emailed the patron[20], a reply came in:
"I think that the title I am looking for is Just Wraps. Can I request that through you
or should I go into my local Garfield Park Branch. (They are always so helpful
there)."
ii. Power of Type
During my monthly branch weeding visits, I am often asked to suggest some craft
books for their book displays or recommendation. Resorting to power of type is one
of my strategies, e.g., 100 series by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
100 afghans to knit & crochet
100 crochet projects
100 hats to knit & crochet
100 knitting projects
100 purses to knit & crochet
iii. Power of Appeal
Power of appeal is another strategy to meet the needs of users at different levels and
ages. In the last two years, I have managed to build and strengthen collections in the
following areas.
a. Trendy & Luxurious Appeal, e.g.,
1. Cousins, Suss.
Hollywood knits style : a guide to good knitting and good living.
New York : Stewart, Tabori & Chang, c2004.
2. Hansel, Alison.
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Charmed knits : projects for fans of Harry Potter.
Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley Pub., c2007.
3. Karapetyan, Berta.
Runway knits : 30 fashion-forward designs.
New York : Potter Craft, c2007.
4. Knight, Erika
Glamour knits at home : 15 sensuous designs to knit and keep forever.
New York : Potter Craft, c2007.
b. Hip & Chic Appeal, e.g.,
1. Carron, Cathy.
Hip knit hats: 40 fabulous designs.
New York: Lark Books. 2005.
2. Chia, Wenlan.
Twinkle's big city knits : thirty-one chunky-chic designs.
New York : Potter Craft, c2007.
3. Ibomu, Afya.
Hip hats & cool caps.
Newtown, CT : Taunton Press, c2006.
4. Moreno, Jillian..
Big girl knits : 25 big, bold projects shaped for real women with real curves.
New York : Potter Craft, 2006.
More big girl knits : 25 designs full of color & texture for curvy women.
New York : Potter Craft, c2008.
c. Ethnic Appeal, e.g.,
1. Hamann, Helen, 1954-
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Andean inspired knits : designs in luxurious alpaca.
Loveland, Colo. : Interweave Press, c2006.
2. Hollingworth, Shelagh.
Traditional Aran knitting.
Mineola, NY : Dover Publications, c2006.
3. Isager, Marianne, 1954Knitting out of Africa: inspired sweater designs.
Loveland, Colo. : Interweave, [2006], c2005.
4. Square, Vicki, 1954Knit kimono : 18 designs with simple shapes.
Loveland, Colo. : Interweave Press, 2007.
d. Political Appeal, e.g.,
1. Christiansen, Betty.
Knitting for peace : make the world a better place one stitch at a time.
New York : Stewart, Tabori & Chang, c2006.
2. Del Vecchio, Michael.
Knitting with balls : a hands-on guide to knitting for the modern man.
London ; New York : DK Pub., c2006.
3. Ross, Share.
Punk knits : 26 hot new designs for anarchistic souls and independent spirits.
New York : Stewart, Tabori & Chang, c2007.
4. Tapper, Joan.
Shear spirit : ten fiber farms, twenty patterns, and miles of Spirit.
New York : Potter Craft, c2008.
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e. Basic Tools Appeal, e.g.,
1. Barnden, Betty, 1948200 knitting tips, techniques & trade secrets.
New York : St. Martin's Press, c2008.
2. Brant, Sharon.
Ultimate Knitting Bible: A Complete Reference with Step-by-Step
Techniques.
England : Collins & Brown, c2008.
3. Eaton, Jan.
Encyclopedia of crochet techniques.
Kent, UK : Search Press, c2006.
4. Yordanou, Joanne, 1964Twelve months of knitting : 36 projects to knit your way through the year.
New York : Potter Craft, c2008.
IV. Impact on Libraries: Optimizing Resources
Upon accepting my collection development responsibility in crafts, I studied the
collection profile and decided to adopt a different approach, i.e., to purchase more
titles, instead of more copies. More copies will be added, however, if the demand rises
to warrant such an addition. In the past, some librarians tended to purchase one copy
for each branch, partly because of their projections of potential needs, partly because
of a lack of sufficient interlibrary delivery system, which was very minimal before
July 1997 when there was only one driver operating the library van around the whole
county[21]. But now there are 2.5 FTE drivers making two delivery routes per day,
one covering the south county and the other, the north county.
To reach the dual goals of meeting potential public demand for library material while
minimizing the library’s operating cost demands a delicate balancing act. The funding
allocation for certain types of material that experience sporadic demand can be
monitored and adjusted according to relevant transaction data. The tendency of
making one copy available in each branch in the system, while it would almost
certainly guarantee meeting demand should one arise, puts disproportionate pressure
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on smaller branches which see comparatively less traffic as well as less space and
funding.
Prior to April 2005, each patron was allowed a maximum of two renewals on each
item charged, and the maximum renewal number has been adjusted from two to four
times since then. That translates to a maximum loan period of six weeks before April
2005 and ten weeks after that. For the sake of analysis, this section assumes that each
patron fully utilizes that maximum number of renewals allowed, thereby simulating
the highest possible load on the system. The purpose of this method is to assume the
worst case scenario for the material in question, such that the surplus of possible
transactions represents the absolute minimum that can be referenced in policy making
and future purchasing decisions.
If, as we are assuming, every borrower of crafts books keeps the book out for as long
as is permitted, then a single copy can be borrowed by only a limited number of
people in a single year. Before April 2005, this would be at most 52 divided by 6
weeks, which yields 8.6 people. From April 2005 onwards, this would become 52
divided by 10 weeks and thus only 5.2 people a year. Calculated from the date first
becomes available we call this figure the To Date Supply (TDS) in the following two
charts. (If books are returned before the maximum loan length, then availability
increases, but usage would not increase unless a new borrower requested it very
promptly).
In addition, MYU (Maximum Yearly Usage) represents the highest possible number
of orders in that year, which takes into account the final circulation date on each copy,
and subtracts the number of that particular copy from the total number of transactions
of all copies. The limited availability of circulation data dictates that we must allow
for the worst case scenario, such as if all demands of one copy occurs in one
particular year. The likelihood of that occurring is low. Further analysis is not
possible due to the privacy policy regarding library users.
TDU (To Date Usage) represents the total number of orders to date. Again since we
do not have data on the breakdown of circulation data, this analysis will use the last
transaction date of each copy, and subtract one from each year for each copy that has
a later last-transaction date than that year.
DIF stands for the difference between TDS and TDU.
Lastly, TDSUR (To Date Surplus) is the to-date surplus of available transaction that
was not utilized, in terms of how many copies of the book can be eliminated up to that
date.
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Case 1
Scheffler, Carol. Family crafting: fun projects to do together. New York: Sterling Pub.
Co., c2000.
Date
Apr.
2002
2001
TDS
n/a
MYU
n/a
TDU
n/a
DIF
n/a
TDSUR n/a
71
<=71
<=73
n/a
n/a
Apr.
2003
151
<=117
<=108
>=43
>=2
Apr.
2004
229
<=117
<=109
>=120
>=4.3
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
2005
307
<=111
<=111
>=206
>=5.4
2006
353
<=99
<=113
>=240
>=5.6
2007
400
<=66
<=115
>=285
>=6.1
2008
447
<=53
<=122
>=325
>=6.2
TDS: To Date Supply
MYU: Maximum Yearly Usage
TDU: To Date Usage
DIF: Difference between TDS and TDU
TDSUR: To Date Surplus
Case 2
Ragsdale, Linda. Creative cardboard: making fabulous furniture, amazing
accessories and other spectacular stuff. New York: Lark Books, c2002.
Date: As
of
TDS
MYU
TDU
DIF
TDSUR
Apr. 2003 Apr 2004
Apr 2005
Apr 2006
Apr 2007
Apr 2008
51
<=95
<=51
n/a
n/a
207
<=92
<=87
>=120
>=5.2
252
<=73
<=89
>=163
>=5.8
297
<=66
<=90
>=207
>=7.1
342
<=66
98
>=244
>=6.5
129
<=92
<=87
>=42
>=2.8
TDS: To Date Supply
MYU: Maximum Yearly Usage
TDU: To Date Usage
DIF: Difference between TDS and TDU
TDSUR: To Date Surplus
What we see is that the only time that the book supply was not apparently greater than
demand is during the first year, in which we have no data for its initial circulation.
After that first year, assuming the maximum duration of time for each transaction, at
least two copies worth of total supply were not utilized, and that figure for both cases
grew to over six copies at the time of the data acquisition. Thus, keeping one copy at
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each branch can be shown to contribute to over-supply, which not only fails to better
serve the public, but also takes valuable resources away from other possible titles that
could be purchased.
From the detailed circulation history of Carol Scheffler’s Family crafting, and Linda
Ragsdale’s Creative cardboard,[22] we notice a number of distinctive tendencies:
1)
Circulation numbers are low with 32 times as their highest number, even
though they were inventoried in 2001 and 2002 respectively;
2)
Some copies stop circulating as early as 12/03/2003 vs. inventory date:
05/30/2001 and 11/23/2002 vs. inventory date: 09/07/2002;
3)
In the former example, only two out of nine copies remain circulating in
2008. Despite the fact that the latter example had half of the copies active in
2007, and two active in 2008, the remaining titles, plus the overall low
circulation numbers, can hardly justify the need to purchase 8 copies; and
4)
The unequal space allocation among 11 branches might not accommodate
each branch with one copy of each title:
To reach a delicate balance between small branches' limited shelving space and
meeting the needs of particular communities, my approach of more titles and less
copies has proven successful and effective in the optimal use of library resources.
1. Balance between demand and limited book budget
Despite the increasing popularity of crafts, my Applied Arts fund has remained not
only unchanged, but slightly decreased since 2003. It is very unlikely that it will see
any increase in the foreseeable future, with the melt-down of housing market, and
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high inflation on gas and basic food items, as the library operating funding is sourced
significantly from sales and property taxes. Like consumers elsewhere, county
residents have tightened their belts by spending less.
BUDGET HISTORY OF CATEGORIES[23]
Category
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
8,140
8,140
8,140
8,140
8,140
8,120
Applied
Arts
11,000 13,000 13,000 10,200
Fiction
30,000 37,000 40,000 30,289 21,750 19,053 21,000 24,000 24,000 26,000
Users' expectations today are mirrored in the variety of newly published titles
prominently displayed in local or online bookstores. The practice of fewer titles with
multiple copies for each branch is out of step. Users prefer more and fresher titles in
the library, more akin to their browsing experience in bookstores. That is one of the
reasons why titles are immediately requested as soon as they appear in the library
catalog.
To further increase reader satisfaction, we might want to revisit the "Slote Method."
Stanley J. Stole introduced a well-known method of weeding library collections in as
early as the mid-1970s. "Slote defines a weeding variable which helps us to determine
whether or not a particular volume belongs to the core collection. He calls this 'shelf
time period' That is the 'the length of time a book remains on the shelf between
circulations'."[24] To test his theory, Slote conducted and published a series of studies
of library book usage, notably his "Five Library Study" in 1969, the Harrison Public
Library Study in 1973, and the Larchmont Public Library Study in 1980. Contrary to
what one might expect, he found out that reducing the number of books on the shelf
would increase circulation if the reduction was done by weeding the least used. The
implication was that by removing the least attractive books, the average attractiveness
of the books on the shelves increased and so usage was stimulated even though the
total number of books was reduced.[25]
2. Equilibrium between demand and actual utilization of books
Again from the previous cases of Carol Scheffler’s Family crafting, and Linda
Ragsdale’s Creative cardboard, we fail to find the equilibrium between the need for
multiple copies and actual utilization, judged by numbers of transactions and current
circulation status, especially in smaller braches. The un-circulated copies housed in
smaller branches can mean that they prevent newer or more popular titles from sitting
on the shelves. Such under usage is in fact an opportunity lost for other titles.
More titles with fewer copies, on the other hand, can be one of the effective ways to
realize such equilibrium of being demanded, but not at total users' expense of a long
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waiting time. By average usage, we are seeking an optimal number of copies of no
more than five and no less than two. By doing so, we are able to make sure that there
are always one or two copies available for different branches to request at all times.
The following two contrasting cases illustrate my endeavors to reach such
equilibrium:
Case 1: One or More Copies Available at Any Given Time
a)
Gardiner, Kay. Mason-Dixon knitting: the curious knitters' guide : stories,
patterns, advice, opinions, questions, answers, jokes, and pictures. New York: Potter
Craft, c2006.
BOULDER CREEK (Branch Library)
1. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 746.432 GAR NONFICTION -Available
BRANCIFORTE (Branch Library)
2. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 746.432 GAR NONFICTION -CheckedOut
SCOTTS VALLEY (Branch Library)
3. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 746.432 GAR NONFICTION -CheckedOut
CENTRAL (Library)
4. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 746.432 GAR NONFICTION -Available
LIVE OAK (Branch Library)
5. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 746.432 GAR NONFICTION -CheckedOut
b)
Cousins, Suss. Wedding knits: handknit gifts for every member of the
wedding party. New York: Potter Craft, c2007.
APTOS (Branch Library)
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1. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 746.432 COU -- NONFICTION -Available
SCOTTS VALLEY (Branch Library)
2. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 746.432 COU -- NONFICTION -CheckedOut
CENTRAL (Library)
3. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 746.432 COU -- NONFICTION -CheckedOut
Case 2: Too Many Copies Are Under Usage
Handcrafted weddings: over 100 projects & ideas for personalizing your
wedding. Minnetonka, Minn.: Creative Pub. International. 1999.
APTOS (Branch Library)
1. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5941 HAN -- NONFICTION -Available
BOULDER CREEK (Branch Library)
2. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5941 HAN -- NONFICTION -Available
BRANCIFORTE (Branch Library)
3. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5941 HAN -- NONFICTION -Available
LSB (Branch Library)
4. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5941 HAN -- NONFICTION -Available
SCOTTS VALLEY (Branch Library)
5. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5941 HAN -- NONFICTION -CheckedOut
CENTRAL (Library)
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6. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5941 HAN -- NONFICTION -Available
LIVE OAK (Branch Library)
7. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5941 HAN -- NONFICTION -Available
CAPITOLA (Branch Library)
8. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5941 HAN -- NONFICTION -Available
BOOKMOBILE (Branch Library)
9. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5941 HAN -- NONFICTION -Available
3. Balance between logistical practicality and limited impact
My budget for crafts is only 0.79% of the whole library book budget of $1,022,000 for
fiscal year 2008-2009, or 2.9% of the nonfiction (which is 36% of the whole budget).
In a word, the percentage of craft titles is relatively small, compared with other big
categories such as fiction whose budget is nearly three times that of crafts as we have
seen from "Budget History of Categories" listed above. A smaller budget can also
mean less impact on the inter-library vans and the drivers' workload. To overcome the
space problem in smaller branches, I assign most titles to larger branches that serve as
hubs from time to time, for they are where the county population and foot traffic are
concentrated. Since our turnaround time is less than three or four days from initiating
and filling a request, users from smaller branches can request and obtain the books
they want in person or online.
2008-2009 MATERIALS ALLOCATION SUMMARY B Y MATERIAL
TYPE[26]
MATERIAL
TYPES
% OF
TOTAL
79%
Adult
21% YP
TOTAL
PERIODICALS
&
MICROFILM
8.5%
80,251
7,100
87,351
REFERENCE
23%
204,573
35,000
238,598
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MEDIA
14%
134,695
29,360
168,651
FICTION
BOOKS
17%
108,662
78,300
185,144
NONFIC
BOOKS
36%
279,399
64,118
339,362
TOTAL
100%
807,580
214,420
$1,022,000
4. Balance between new and older titles
In September 26, 2007, the Library Staff Development Committee of the Greater Bay
Area held its third part of the Future of Libraries at San Francisco Public Library
conference. At the conference, Linda Rosenblum, director of Hayward Public Library,
talked about how "Link+" let us get rid of lots of stuff. She found out that customers
did not like to check out older materials. To resolve the problem of space and too
many old titles, she opted to weed uncirculated titles older than 5 years. Instead of
purchasing out-of-print titles, she used Innovative Interfaces Library system’s
"Link+" to request for out-of-print titles through interlibrary loan.
While unable to weed so drastically as Linda, I am gradually withdrawing multiple
copies that either are under use or stop circulation. At the same time, I am
systematically withdrawing out-of-fashion types of crafts, such as dry flower
arrangement. To encourage book usage, we do need to bear in mind what Asa
Wynkoop said in 1911, "It has been shown by experiment again and again that a
collection of best books, when grouped by themselves, receive twice as much use as
when scattered among old and obsolete material." [27]
V. Impact on Libraries: Enhancing Subject Headings
The reason why Tina Baine, the local newspaper writer mentioned in section I, was
unable to locate sufficient titles in the crafts section of the library may be manifold.
First of all, it might be true that we have failed to keep up with users' new needs.
There is still more room for us to improve. Secondly, the subject headings we have
copied and adopted from Library of Congress (LC) authority files might be too slow
and inadequate to respond to our timeframe and practical needs. Both Jo Lauria and
Steve Fenton, authors of Craft in America are of the opinion that "Here in the first
decade of the twenty-first century, we find craft at a high-water mark. Perhaps it is a
need to find and hold on to tradition and comfort and trust in a world turned upside
down. Perhaps it is that many people today have the means to acquire the finest
examples of the craft tradition. But whatever the cause, the effect is clear: craft is
recognized, perhaps as never before, as an important part of our national heritage and
psyche."[28] On the other hand, owing to the overwhelming enthusiasm for knitting at
a national level, a new layer of meaning has been added to CRAFT, "Craft, once the
homely suffixlike appendage to 'arts', has in the last few years woven itself into
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mainstream culture. From Martha Stewart to knitting circles held in dive bars and
user-produced videos on YouTube.com, the do-it-yourselfer in each of us can
customize a mode of self-expression."[29]
In front of those great social and historical changes, LC does not seem to be wellequipped or well-prepared. For instance, APPLIED ARTS is not a valid LC subject
heading (LCSH). Neither is CRAFT nor CRAFTS. It has to be either combined with
other terms such as "Crafts & decorating," or "Craft and art," or has to be suffixed and
then cross-referenced as in the following example:
Crafts (Handicrafts)
Search under: Handicraft (441 titles)
п‚·
Handicraft. (441)
o see also narrower term Balloon sculpture. (4)
o see also narrower term Bible crafts. (1)
o see also narrower term Bread dough craft. (5)
o see also narrower term Burlap craft. (0)
o see also narrower term Candlemaking. (9)
o see also narrower term Collage. (16)
o see also narrower term Cornhusk craft. (1)
o see also narrower term Egg decoration. (2)
o see also narrower term Eggshell craft. (0)
o see also narrower term Eskimo craft. (1)
o see also narrower term Face painting. (13)
o see also narrower term Glass craft. (22)
o see also narrower term Hobbies. (1)
o see also narrower term Indian craft. (9)
It might also be true that there is a lack of necessary cross-references to other related
subject headings, which makes it very hard to retrieve, thus rendering it
user-unfriendly. For instance, the same HANDICRAFT is not cross-referenced under
DECORATIVE ARTS:
п‚·
Decorative arts. (7)
o see also narrower term Antiques. (20)
o see also narrower term Art metal-work. (6)
o see also narrower term Art objects. (0)
o see also narrower term Bamboo work. (3)
o see also narrower term Basketwork. (4)
o see also narrower term Calligraphy. (26)
o see also narrower term Carving (Decorative arts) (2)
o see also narrower term Costume. (59)
o see also narrower term Decoration and ornament. (112)
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o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
see also narrower term Decoupage. (13)
see also narrower term Enamel and enameling. (6)
see also narrower term Figurines. (0)
see also Folk art. (9)
see also narrower term Furniture. (8)
HANDICRAFT unlisted
see also narrower term Jewelry. (14)
see also narrower term Lacquer and lacquering. (1)
see also narrower term Leather work. (4)
see also narrower term Mosaics. (14)
see also narrower term Needlework. (32)
see also narrower term Porcelain. (5)
see also narrower term Pottery. (22)
see also narrower term Tapestry. (2)
see also narrower term Textile fabrics. (16)
see also narrower term Woodwork. (180)
Additionally, many titles might be in dire need of subject headings that are at once
general and specific. For instance, GOURD CRAFT is neither under the umbrella of
HANDICRAFT nor DECORATIVE ARTS. Furthermore, no further cross-reference
has been provided on the part of LC. To retrieve titles under GOURD CRAFT or
other similar subject headings, users have to bear the burden of coming up with
proper subject headings themselves. This user-unfriendly and clumsy retrieval
phenomenon might be the reason that so many nonfiction titles in general, and certain
types of crafts books in particular, are languishing on the shelves.
Last but not least, LC has shown its inconsistency in providing apt and comprehensive
subject headings to reflect the book content. It did wonders with a 1997 publication in
the usage of "Papier-mache:"
Ronald, Nick. Grand illusions : paint effects and instant decoration for
furniture, fabric, walls and floors. North Pomfret, VT : Trafalgar Square Pub., 1997.
House painting.
Furniture painting.
Textile painting.
Papier-mache.
Interior decoration.
However, it managed only to provide basic and partial subject headings to describe
the whole content of 100 hats to knit & crochet by Jean Leinhauser & Rita Weiss,
published by Sterling in 2005. The title is so evident about hats, but none of its two
subject headings addresses the topical area:
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Knitting -- Patterns.
Crocheting -- Patterns.
It is equally true with a further instance:
Griffiths, Melody. Crochet in no time : a simple, stylish, collection of 52
quick-crochet projects. Pleasantville, N.Y. : Reader's Digest, c2007.
Crocheting -- Patterns.
Clothing and dress.
Dress accessories -- Patterns.
In reality, the book’s 52 projects cover "Scarves", "Wraps", "Hats", "Gloves",
"Jackets", "Sweaters", "Tops", etc. Neither "Clothing and dress," nor "Dress
accessories" can precisely inform users of the true content.
While a list of such instances is endless, an interesting challenge arises not only for
selection librarians who should be familiar with their subject areas, but also for our
catalogers to do necessary subject enhancements to ensure a satisfactory retrieval and
optimal usage of library collections. The practice of copy cataloging does not mean
merely the process of copying a record from LC or OCLC. Catalogers, copy or
original, need to examine the content and add more values or metadata if necessary.
The assurance of quality content management is key in the era of Web 2.0 when we
encourage our users to do more self-touring and self-service in their own environment.
Subject headings, being vital access points to the content, are one of the important
mechanisms to guarantee such a success.
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Appendix: Detailed Circulation History
Scheffler, Carol. Family crafting: fun projects to do together. New York: Sterling Pub.
Co., c2000.
APTOS (Branch Library)
1. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5 SCH -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 05/30/2001; LST TRNS DATE: 09/21/2006; No. of loans: 10
BOULDER CREEK (Branch Library)
2. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5 SCH -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 05/30/2001; LST TRNS DATE: 12/29/2004; No. of loans: 9
FELTON (Branch Library)
3. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5 SCH -- NONFICTION -Available
Inventory: 05/30/2001; LST TRNS DATE: 02/24/2005; No. of loans: 6
GARFIELD PARK (Branch Library)
CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5 SCH -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 05/30/2001; LST TRNS DATE: 04/16/2008; No. of loans: 10
SCOTTS VALLEY (Branch Library)
CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5 SCH -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 05/30/2001; LST TRNS DATE: 06/19/2008; No. of loans: 30
CENTRAL (Library)
. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5 SCH -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 05/30/2001; LST TRNS DATE: 06/26/2007; No. of loans: 14
TECHNICAL SERVICES DISCARD
. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5 SCH -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 05/30/2001; LST TRNS DATE: 12/29/2005; No. of loans: 3
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LIVE OAK (Branch Library)
8. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5 SCH -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 05/30/2001; LST TRNS DATE: 12/03/2003; No. of loans: 6
CAPITOLA (Branch Library)
9. CALL NUMBER: OVERSIZE 745.5 SCH -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 05/30/2001; LST TRNS DATE: 01/06/2006; No. of loans: 32
Ragsdale, Linda. Creative cardboard: making fabulous furniture, amazing
accessories and other spectacular stuff. New York: Lark Books, c2002.
APTOS (Branch Library)
1. CALL NUMBER: 745.54 RAG -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 09/07/2002; LST TRNS DATE: 10/04/2007; No. of loans: 18
BOULDER CREEK (Branch Library)
2. CALL NUMBER: 745.54 RAG -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 09/07/2002; LST TRNS DATE: 08/11/2006; No. of loans: 7
BRANCIFORTE (Branch Library)
3. CALL NUMBER: 745.54 RAG -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 09/07/2002; LST TRNS DATE: 06/04/2008; No. of loans: 13
OUTREACH
4. CALL NUMBER: 745.54 RAG -- NONFICTPBK -- Available
Inventory: 09/07/2002; LST TRNS DATE: 11/23/2002; No. of loans: 3
GARFIELD PARK (Branch Library)
5. CALL NUMBER: 745.54 RAG -- NONFICTPBK -- Available
Inventory: 09/07/2002; LST TRNS DATE: 06/23/2007; No. of loans: 7
CENTRAL (library)
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6. CALL NUMBER: 745.54 RAG -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 09/07/2002; LST TRNS DATE: 05/27/2007; No. of loans: 28
LIVE OAK (Branch Library)
7. CALL NUMBER: 745.54 RAG -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 09/07/2002; LST TRNS DATE: 06/21/2007; No. of loans: 7
CAPITOLA (Branch Library)
8. CALL NUMBER: 745.54 RAG -- NONFICTION -- Available
Inventory: 09/07/2002; LST TRNS DATE: 08/23/2008; No. of loans: 20
Bibliographic References and Notes
[1] Titangos Photography's photostream, [homepage of Titangos Photography Studio],
[Online]. Available: http://www.flickr.com/photos/titangos/sets/72157600384978695/
[2008, August 28].
[2] The US Census Bureau. Population Finder [Homepage of U.S. Census Bureau],
[Online]. Available:
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&_name=santa+c
ruz+county&_state=04000US06&_county=santa+cruz+county&_cityTown=santa+cr
uz+county&_zip=&_sse=on&_lang=en&pctxt=fph [2008, August 28].
[3] Lauria, Jo, and Steve Fenton, Craft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of
Artists and Objects (Clarkson Potter, 2007) 11.
[4] Baine, Tina, Knitting with the Unexpected: new uses for soda tabs and plastic
wrap, Santa Cruz Sentinel. Home & Garden, B6, Thursday, November 9, 2006.
[5] Risatti, Howard, A Theory of Craft (The University of North Carolina Press, 2007)
106.
[6] Rachel Courtland, Discover the Perfect Patch, Quilt Fair Draws out Fabric
Wizards, Santa Cruz Sentinel. Local News, A15, A18, Sunday, February 18, 2007.
[7] TAKING IT PERSONALLY. (briefs) (DivaZappa.com). Venessa Lau and Sarah
Taylor. WWD (August 10, 2006): p6. From General OneFile.
[8] 2007 Research Knitters & Crocheters: Doing More & Planning More Projects
[Homepage of Craft Yarn Council of America], [Online]. Available:
http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/know.html [2008, August 28].
25
Chinese Librarianship: an International Electronic Journal, 29. URL: http://www.iclc.us/cliej/cl26hui.pdf
[9] Knit local, act global: stitching for a social (and personal) change. (KNITTING).
Molly Marsh. Sojourners Magazine 36.2 (Feb 2007): p38(4). From General OneFile.
[10] Risatti, Howard, A Theory of Craft (The University of North Carolina Press,
2007) 186.
[11] 2007 Research Knitters & Crocheters: Doing More & Planning More Projects
[Homepage of Craft Yarn Council of America], [Online]. Available:
http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/know.html [2008, August 28].
[12] Knit local, act global: stitching for a social (and personal) change. (KNITTING).
Molly Marsh. Sojourners Magazine 36.2 (Feb 2007): p38(4). From General OneFile.
[13] Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2007-2008 (American Cancer Society)
[Homepage of Medline Plus], [Online]. Available:
http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v%3Aproject=medlineplus&
query=women+cancer+population&x=0&y=0 [2008, August 28].
[14] Lauria, Jo, and Steve Fenton, Craft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of
Artists and Objects (Clarkson Potter, 2007) 7.
[15] LГ©vi-Strauss, Claude, The Elementary Structures of Kinship (Beacon Press, 1969)
62.
[16] Lamott, Anne, Grace (Eventually), Thoughts on Faith (Fivehead Books, 2007)
151.
[17] Lamott, Anne, Grace (Eventually), Thoughts on Faith (Fivehead Books, 2007)
152-153.
[18] Top 10 books on crafts & hobbies. Brad Hooper. Booklist 104.8 (Dec 15, 2007):
p.21(1) ;
Top 10 books on crafts & hobbies. Brad Hooper. Booklist 103.8 (Dec 15, 2006):
p.19(1)
[19] Exploring nonfiction: working with nonfiction enriches readers' advisory and
offers your readers more. (LJ SERIES: REDEFINING RA). Neal Wyatt. Library
Journal 132.3 (Feb 15, 2007): p32(4).
[20] Email: Hui-Lan Huang Titangos to Jade [SMTP:jadesong@mac.com, Subject:
Your Request on Lion Brand Yarn Just Throws/Shawls. Sent: On Mar 14, 2007, at
1:20 PM,
[21] Souza, Margaret, Technical Services Coordinator’s Report for Quarters Ending
June and September, 1997.
26
Chinese Librarianship: an International Electronic Journal, 29. URL: http://www.iclc.us/cliej/cl26hui.pdf
[22] See Appendices I & II for the detailed circulation history.
[23] 2008-2009 Book Budget, courtesy of Staff Development Office, Santa Cruz
Public Libraries.
[24] Slote, Stanley J., Weeding Library Collections : Library Weeding Methods, p.
267. Library Unlimited, Inc., c1989.
[25] Email: Michael Buckland to Hui-Lan Huang Titangos
[mailto:buckland@ischool.berkeley.edu], Subject: Re: Beyond Keeping Warm. Sent:
on Friday, August 15, 2008, at 11:36 AM.
[26] Ditto.
[27] Asa Wynkoop, "Discard Useless Material," Wisconsin Library Bulletin 7(1)
(April 1911):53.
[28] Lauria, Jo, and Steve Fenton, Craft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of
Artists and Objects, p. 35. Clarkson Potter, c2007.
[29] Defining radical craft: An interdisciplinary group confers about the process of
making at a recent conference. (practice) (Radical Craft, the Art Center College of
Design conference in Pasadena, California) (Editorial). Mimi Zeiger. Architecture
95.5 (May 2006): p.27(2). From General OneFile.
Authors:
Hui-Lan H. Titangos, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Santa Cruz, California, United
States. Email: titangosh@santacruzpl.org
Acknowledgement:
The author wishes to acknowledge Nicolas C. Lin, MS/PhD candidate, Industrial
Engineering & Operations Research at University of California-Berkeley, for his
excellent narrative and quantitative analysis of the optimization of library resources,
particularly in "Section IV. Impact on Libraries: Optimizing Resources". The author
also wishes to acknowledge and thank Dr. Michael K. Buckland, Professor Emeritus,
School of Information at University of California-Berkeley, for his meticulous
revisions in content and style, and his valuable readings of the article.
Submitted to CLIEJ on 30 August 2008.
Copyright В© 2008 Hui-Lan H. Titangos
Titangos, Hui-Lan H. (2008). Beyond keeping warm: Optimizing crafts resources at
Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Chinese Librarianship: an International Electronic
Journal, 26. URL: http://www.iclc.us/cliej/cl26hui.pdf
27