Library Collection Development Process
Evans (1995) defines collection development as the “process of meeting the information needs of the people (a service population) in a timely and economic manner using information resources locally held as well as from other organizations” (p.17). He states that collection development is a six component process. These components are:
Evans (1995) analysed these six processes of library collection development in the above figure-
• Analysis of the information needs of the users.
• Formulation and implementation of selection policy to suit the objectives of the library.
• Material selection.
• Acquisition programmes to build-up a balance collection.
• Weeding out programmes.
• Collection evaluation.
While acquiring documents there are many factoring which the librarian keeps in mind like information overload or information explosion, increasing users’ demands due to specialization, shrinking & limited library budget, increase in the price of resources, change in demand of users to information & access based services from collection based services, increasing uses of electronic documents.
The collection development activity operates at three levels. The financial and administrative power would rest with highest executive authority which may be repressed by a library authority committee. The second level is the book selection committee consisting of subject specialist and third level constitutes the librarian and staff.
The norms and standards regarding collection development are the following:
• Proposition of the distribution of funds to books, journals and other reading materials.
• Optimum size of collection.
• Different types of reading materials procurement procedure.
Materials are collected in print, paper back and hard back and electronic formats. The library should purchase the materials in the format which is most useful or acceptable to the readers. The considerable factor includes ease of use, reliability, space and equipment, cost of document and demand.
Generally the collection developments of University libraries have two structural patterns, namely centralized and decentralized system. In the centralized system the central library take the full responsibility of collection development of a balanced collection. On the other hand in the decentralized pattern the development of a subject collection the responsibility is entrusted to the academic department.
Users’ expectation differs from one environment to another environment, institutional programs, activities, vision and specialization. The expectations of users in libraries generally are:
• The collection of library should be well organized.
• There should be clear directions and stack guide.
• Speedy delivery service.
• Good communication facilities.
• Continuous interaction.
• Continual improvement.
• Access and delivery of electronic resources.
• Web based initiatives and resources.
• Display and demonstration of information about staff.
• Users complains system.
• Effective & efficient workflow.
• Information literacy.
• Disaster management.
For cite this article use this reference:
- Kumar, P. A. (2017). Impact of information technology on the collection development in university libraries of Assam: a study. Retrieved from: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/180648