What I Learned from a MAC Professional Development Grant
Thanks to a MAC Professional Development Grant, I participated in an online, self-paced, professional development course entitled, Electronic Collection Development for Health and Medical E-Libraries. This course focused on electronic collection development for e-libraries. As a solo hospital librarian, this course was invaluable to me. I wanted (and needed) to learn more about electronic collection development for my library setting.
This course provided an overview of e-library development and offered great resources to use in identifying, evaluating and collecting e-resources for a library. I learned about options for organization and access such as content management systems and electronic resource management systems, the importance of regularly maintaining content, and the essential components to include in an electronic collection development plan.
I would venture to say that many of us are dealing with shrinking budgets and an increased demand for more resources available in online or electronic formats. This course made me aware of viable options to grow, redevelop and strengthen my current electronic collection despite budgetary and technology restraints. Although I might not be able to purchase everything I would like, I have learned new ways to supplement my electronic and print collection with freely available resources and have created a collection development plan that outlines parameters for my library.
Thank you to MAC for helping me with this learning opportunity!
Nichelle Midón