Do you know how well your library collection reflects the diversity of your student population, the disciplines in which they study, and their various perspectives? These were the questions asked by two academic librarians at Penn State University and Washington State University Vancouver. During literature searches, as they prepared to assess the collection coverage of materials relating to marginalized groups within the Penn State Libraries system and the Orbis Cascade Alliance Consortium, they discovered a disappointing lack of information on methods for assessing collections in subject specific and multidisciplinary subject areas. This session will provide an overview of two collections-based research projects, one of which focuses on LGBTQ collection materials and the other on collections related to racism and social justice as well as the methods they used to assess collection coverage in these areas. This session will provide an overview of these collections-based research projects and the constellation of methods that were used in order to contribute to the conversation regarding collection assessment in academic libraries as well as stimulate conversation among attendees.
