Components of library collection development

Collection Development Policy

For effecting collection development of library resources proper analysis of SWOT (Strength, weakness, Opportunities and Threat) should be done. Collection development policy formulates a plan of actions and information which provides the researcher a well guided path for thinking and decision making. Collection development policy should be referred by the staffs in those subject areas which are to be augmented. The Policy should be a way of communication with the library services users and other people who finance the policies.

For a balanced collection development policy need base and updated policy guidelines are very vital. As it would minimize bias and it ensures quality collection. As collection development is a continuous process; a long term policy is needed which can answer the following:

• Who would have final authority for controlling and directing the distribution of fund for purchasing books?

• Who has the responsibility for observing that a policy is setup and regularly implanted.

• Who should participate in the selection?

• What material or resource should be acquired?

According to Evans (1987), a policy document should have-

(i) A brief general description of the community to be served,

(ii) Identification of specific clientele to be served,

(iii) a general statement regarding the parameters of collection, such as specific subject field and type of formats that the library will acquire,

(iv) The statement on general limitation and priorities that will determine how the collection will be developed, and

(v) Keeping in mind the library’s role in co-operative development and networking the policy should make it clear as to whether the basic philosophy is self-sufficiency or co-operation.

The Primary function of the University libraries is collection development. Dr. S R Ranganathan’s (1931) five laws of library science have profound implication for policies of collection development. They are:

• Providing value added services and proper collection materials the collection development policies are required.

• The purpose of collection development policies is to provide framework for acquisition, resource allocation with drawl and language planning of collection for user’s interest.

• Collection development policy is the per-requisite of the every library irrespective of its size such as this policy is the expanded version of the purpose and mission of library.

• Deciding whether to acquire or reject an item by the staff the collection development policies places an important role. For making a consistent and qualitative decision the proper guideline of the policy can be followed.

• The policy serves as a source of reinforcement when the item is challenged by other patrons.

The following are the components of collection development-

• Organizational objectives: The nature of the organization, objectives, function and its purpose at preliminary level.
• Users: Review the needs of the users and determine the important area of concern, project undertaken.
• Information resources: Covering general aspect as well as the potential needs of the users.
• Levels of collection: The Collection is needed to fulfill the current & future needs of the researcher and the experts as well as for the organization.
• Subject coverage: The subject covered must be up to the core and updated. The resource material collected depends on the needs as well as the priorities or can be arranged by sharing data with similar organization.
• Type of information sources: Provide information of the literature, Publisher in the area of the secondary information sources. The maximum access of information is to be provided to users rather than the owning of the resources.
• Budget: The budget must be properly allocated to University libraries as per the users.
• Form: The material can be acquired in the forms of print, non-print and in digital pattern but it should be a cost effective procurement,
• Service provided: The library services can be provided from organizations collection and different institution but it needs qualitative acquisition of resources.
• Policies: For preservation of the resources qualitative collection development policies should be formulated.

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