Monica Garcia

Monica Garcia

Librarian. Writer. Speaker.

Equity-Centered Collection Development

Expanding representation in adult fiction

Fiction often provides a reader's first encounter with a new culture or perspective. I approach adult fiction selection with the understanding that representation matters at every level, from commercial genre publishing to the literary canon. My goal is to build collections in which community members can see themselves reflected and also encounter experiences beyond their own.

To support this work, I use analytics tools such as LibraryIQ to assess representation patterns, identify gaps, and adjust purchasing strategies accordingly. This allows me to move beyond intuition and implement measurable, data-informed improvements in collection diversity.

Strengthening World-Language Collections

Effective world-language collections require both cultural competency and institutional collaboration. In my system, I partnered with union leadership and frontline staff to formalize support from a staff member with Russian language and cultural expertise. This collaboration strengthened title selection for Russian and Ukrainian-speaking patrons and improved alignment with community needs.

I also maintain strong vendor relationships to improve access to high-quality materials in languages other than English. These partnerships support more efficient discovery, acquisition, and ongoing collection maintenance.

Community-Informed Selection

Patron requests provide valuable insight, but digital forms alone cannot replace direct engagement. I advocate for collection development librarians to work in partnership with outreach teams, branch staff, and community organizations. I also prioritize time in public-facing service roles to maintain firsthand awareness of reader interests and emerging needs.

This approach ensures that collection decisions reflect lived community experience rather than relying solely on transactional data.

Impact