Library Services Publications

Budget and Collection Management Communication Strategies, Tools, and Methods

Evan Rusch, Minnesota State University, MankatoFollow
Heidi J. Southworth, Minnesota State University, MankatoFollow
Daardi Sizemore Mixon, Minnesota State University, MankatoFollow
Lisa Baures, Minnesota State University, MankatoFollow
Nat Gustafson-Sundell, Minnesota State University, MankatoFollow
Joe Holtermann, Minnesota State University, MankatoFollow

Document Type

Conference Presentation

Publication Date

11-17-2025

Abstract

Many libraries face challenging budget situations. Communication with departments and administration about budget management and related changes to collections can be crucial to maintain constructive relationships and to improve cooperative planning. Academic libraries often rely on librarian liaisons to communicate directly with departments, but additional communication efforts are sometimes pursued. Libraries could learn from one another by sharing their communication strategies, tools, and methods. Our library has recently focused on collections communication across a range of projects and audiences. These projects have included a budget reduction plan and major print deselection project, as well as ongoing, prospective budget management. The audiences have included the entire campus, a specific college, the Vice Provost individually, and various departments. The tools have included campus emails and news stories, a video, an online dashboard, and more. In this presentation, a panel from one library will run through a series of brief examples. Other libraries might want to adapt some of these approaches for their own environments. We’re also hoping to inspire other libraries to share what they’ve done. It seems budget management will only grow more difficult. We need to communicate as successfully as possible to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Department

Library Services

Conference Name

2025 Charleston Conference

Conference Place

Virtual

Recommended Citation

Rusch, E., Southworth, H., Mixon, D. S., Baures, L, Gustafson-Sundell, N., & Holtermann, J. (2025, November 17). Budget and collection management communication strategies, tools, and methods [Conference presentation]. 2025 Charleston Conference, Virtual.