Building and developing
collections in libraries
Dr. Wisal Alim
Introduction
Library collections
• Library collections are curated and
maintained to support the information and
research needs of the communities they
serve. The process of building and
developing these collections involves several
key considerations:
Needs Assessment
• Librarians carefully analyze the information needs
and research interests of their patrons, including
students, faculty, and the broader community.
• This involves gathering user feedback, monitoring
trends in academic disciplines, and aligning the
collection with the institution’s mission and
curriculum.
Selection and Acquisition
• Librarians actively select and acquire resources, such as
books, journals, databases, e-books, and multimedia, to
build a balanced and comprehensive collection.
• The selection process considers factors like academic
relevance, quality, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility.
• Librarians often collaborate with faculty and subject
specialists to ensure the collection supports the teaching
and research needs.
Collection Development Policies
• Libraries establish clear collection development policies
that outline the principles, priorities, and procedures for
building and managing their collections.
• These policies help guide decision-making, ensure
consistency, and provide a framework for collection
management.
Collection Evaluation and Maintenance
• Librarians regularly evaluate the collection to assess its
continued relevance, usage, and alignment with user needs.
• This may involve weeding outdated or unused materials,
preserving valuable resources, and identifying gaps or areas
for improvement.
• Ongoing maintenance ensures the collection remains up-to-
date, accessible, and aligned with the library's mission.
Budgeting and Resource Allocation
• Libraries allocate budgets and resources to support
the acquisition, processing, and maintenance of
their collections.
• Librarians carefully manage these budgets,
considering factors such as inflation, publishing
trends, and changing user needs.
Collaboration and Resource Sharing
• Libraries often collaborate with other institutions, such
as academic libraries or public libraries, to share
resources, leverage collective purchasing power, and
provide access to a wider range of materials.
• Interlibrary loan and document delivery services allow
patrons to access resources beyond the local collection.
Digital Collections and Electronic Resources
• The increasing availability and demand for digital
resources, such as e-books, e-journals, and online
databases, have a transformed collection
Terminologies
• Construction and development group's =
(Acquisition).
• Ordering.
• Procedures.
• Demand.
• Purchasing.
• Donation.
Thank You for Your Kind Attention