Core Collection Evaluation & Assessment Interest Group

Hi Everyone --

Thanks for the few folks who joined the very last minute Coffee Talk last week. We shared some ideas of what we'd like to talk about in future coffee talks.

We have the series of meetings scheduled through May 2026. You can register for the meetings through the links below:

Group name: Collection Evaluation and Assessment Interest Group (Metadata & Collections)

Recurring Setup Details:

• September 5, 2025 - 12:00-1:00 PM Central – Registration link
• November 7, 2025 - 12:00-1:00 PM Central – Registration link
• January 9, 2026 - 12:00-1:00 PM Central – Registration link
• March 6, 2026 - 12:00-1:00 PM Central – Registration link
• May 1, 2026 - 12:00-1:00 PM Central – Registration link

Session description:

Every other month "coffee talks" for all members of Core Collection Evaluation and Assessment Interest Group members. We discuss topics on the themes of collection evaluation, assessment, analysis, collection growth, usage statistics, visualization tools, financial issues in collection development, etc.

Sign up -- we'd love any interested people to join the chats. Closer to the dates we'll share the agenda and topics.

Also -- we are looking for panelists for a future webinar.

We are hosting a webinar with the Core Metadata and Collections Section and we are looking for panelists that can speak to IMLS grants or use of indirect research funds (F&A) and emergency assessment to evaluate collections.

Topic: Navigating Disruptions in State and IMLS-Funded Library Collections
Libraries across the country are grappling with the potential loss of collection support traditionally provided by state libraries or centrally funded consortia that rely on Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grants. With IMLS funding at risk, libraries of all types-public, academic, and special-are facing difficult decisions about how to maintain access to essential resources. This situation mirrors challenges faced by academic libraries during budget cuts, where difficult decisions must be made about continuing resources and subscriptions.

Key concerns include:
- ❌ Whether libraries can absorb the cost of collections previously covered by state or federal funding.
- 📉 The potential loss of access to databases, e-resources, and shared services if funding disappears.
- 🧩 How libraries are deciding what to continue purchasing independently and what to let go.

If you are a librarian that has needed to do "emergency" collection evaluations because of loss of IMLS funding or other grant or supplementary funding and would want to be on a panel about this issue, please contact me (mary.aagard@utah.edu) or co-chair Arthur Aguilera (arthur.aguilera@colorado.edu).

Thanks everyone -- we look forward to talking with you soon!

Mary Aagard, Arthur Aguilera, Marion Archer, Keri Prelitz - co-chairs.

Hey Mary,

Looks like the March 6th registration link goes to the July 11th session

Hi Everyone --

Thanks for the few folks who joined the very last minute Coffee Talk last week. We shared some ideas of what we'd like to talk about in future coffee talks.

We have the series of meetings scheduled through May 2026. You can register for the meetings through the links below:

Group name: Collection Evaluation and Assessment Interest Group (Metadata & Collections)

Recurring Setup Details:

• September 5, 2025 - 12:00-1:00 PM Central – Registration link
• November 7, 2025 - 12:00-1:00 PM Central – Registration link
• January 9, 2026 - 12:00-1:00 PM Central – Registration link
• March 6, 2026 - 12:00-1:00 PM Central – Registration link
• May 1, 2026 - 12:00-1:00 PM Central – Registration link

Session description:

Every other month "coffee talks" for all members of Core Collection Evaluation and Assessment Interest Group members. We discuss topics on the themes of collection evaluation, assessment, analysis, collection growth, usage statistics, visualization tools, financial issues in collection development, etc.

Sign up -- we'd love any interested people to join the chats. Closer to the dates we'll share the agenda and topics.

Also -- we are looking for panelists for a future webinar.

We are hosting a webinar with the Core Metadata and Collections Section and we are looking for panelists that can speak to IMLS grants or use of indirect research funds (F&A) and emergency assessment to evaluate collections.

Topic: Navigating Disruptions in State and IMLS-Funded Library Collections
Libraries across the country are grappling with the potential loss of collection support traditionally provided by state libraries or centrally funded consortia that rely on Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grants. With IMLS funding at risk, libraries of all types-public, academic, and special-are facing difficult decisions about how to maintain access to essential resources. This situation mirrors challenges faced by academic libraries during budget cuts, where difficult decisions must be made about continuing resources and subscriptions.

Key concerns include:
- ❌ Whether libraries can absorb the cost of collections previously covered by state or federal funding.
- 📉 The potential loss of access to databases, e-resources, and shared services if funding disappears.
- 🧩 How libraries are deciding what to continue purchasing independently and what to let go.

If you are a librarian that has needed to do "emergency" collection evaluations because of loss of IMLS funding or other grant or supplementary funding and would want to be on a panel about this issue, please contact me (mary.aagard@utah.edu) or co-chair Arthur Aguilera (arthur.aguilera@colorado.edu).

Thanks everyone -- we look forward to talking with you soon!

Mary Aagard, Arthur Aguilera, Marion Archer, Keri Prelitz - co-chairs.