Toward a theory of collection development: an activities and attributes approach

This paper presents results of a study of corporate library selection activity performed to support four global corporations. The firms examined are involved in providing communication, knowledge in its different forms, and computing. Using these results, this paper synthesizes literature on selection and collection development to present an approach to developing an eventual theory of collection development. Using this approach, such a theory would predict the performance of selection activity; the operation of its attributes, such as its cost, centralization, and formalization; and the operation of other collection development activities. Concurrently, it would explain these predictions using dynamics such as the need to include specified ideas within selected content, the need to cope with selector's abilities to choose vast amounts of content, the need to contain selection cost, and the need to gather material together so as to support browsing and its resulting impromptu development of ideas.     

Impact of organizational structure on acquisitions and collection development

The library’s organizational structure is examined within a framework of acquisitions and collection development. A review of the literature and analysis of data obtained in a survey reveal no clear pattern of an optimal organizational structure to enhance acquisitions and collection development activities.     

The ethics of academic collection development in a politically contentious era

The ethics of academic library collection development are discussed within the context of the polarized political climate of the United States. The ethics are examined in regard to collection development and the exercise of professional judgment. Legislation introduced in the State of Colorado is used as an example of a manifestation of the political polarization. The legislation's possible effects upon the academic freedom of librarians are examined. The limitations of the ethical principle of neutrality and rationale for engaging in advocacy are explored. An expansion of the teaching role of academic technical services librarians is recommended.     

Examining a Spanish nonfiction collection in a public library

Many areas of the country have seen large growth in their Spanish speaking community. Libraries and other public agencies have redesigned their practices to better serve the needs of these new segments of the population. The urban area chosen for this study has experienced one of the fastest growing Spanish speaking populations in the country in the last 10 years. In this study, a needs assessment was created for the Spanish speaking population served by a branch library in a large, urban area. The needs assessment was created with the use of demographic data and an analysis of current library literature. Using the assessment, the current Spanish nonfiction collection of the library was evaluated for both size and content and then compared to the size and content of the English nonfiction collection. This assessment technique is useful to libraries wishing to conduct a needs analysis on a specific group in their population served.     

Determinants of library's effectiveness and efficiency: A study of collection development, organization and services of Maulana Azad Library, AMU (India)

The study is focused on users' opinion as regards the adequacy of library collection and analyzes the level of users' satisfaction about library collection, organization, facilities and services both traditional as well as, IT enabled services. A well structured questionnaire was administered to faculty members, research scholars and students of the AMU to collect data regarding the adequacy of library collection and analyze the level of users' satisfaction. The survey reveals that the library collection in the AMU library is adequate enough for their users. AMU library users were also satisfied with the existing infrastructure of library and organization of their collections. The researcher observed that the overall satisfaction levels of the users regarding the AMU library is good.     

Moving a large collection quickly: A study in chaos

Abstract

The University of Louisville’s Ekstrom Library needed to remove 260,000 items from its shelves, and shift a further 95,000 within an extremely short deadline ahead of plans to redesign its third floor into an inviting, modern, student-friendly space for patrons to enjoy. The move faced three distinct challenges: space, item tracking, and sufficient personnel to complete the project. Although the project finished ahead of schedule, things did not go as smoothly as planned. OPAC issues and lack of sufficient storage space forced the Committee to readjust plans on the fly, resulting in issues that could possibly take years to fix.     

University libraries in Pakistan and status of collection management policy: Views of library managers

In the emerging digital paradigm, the role of a collection management policy (CMP) has become fundamental for managing collections in university libraries. This paper mainly explores both the status of CMP in the university libraries of Pakistan and the opinion of university library managers regarding the need for a CMP in their institution. It also briefly narrates the development in the function of contemporary universities and their libraries in the country. The paper is based on literature review, experience, and opinions obtained from the respondents through a questionnaire consisting of open-ended and closed questions and interviews. The data were collected as part of this researcher's doctoral study [7]. The analysis revealed that almost all respondents were in favor of having a written policy but did not prepare such a document in the literal sense. The reasons of this status emerge as lack of basic know-how, practical training, etc. The study suggests continuing professional education and self-studies on the librarians part to improve the situation in this regard.     

Material properties of historic parchment: A reference collection survey

Historic parchment is a complex biological material, and due to various methods of production or inks used, unknown environmental histories of objects and heterogeneous nature of animal skin, it represents a particular analytical challenge. Due to the number of variables it is likely that patterns in degradation of these historic objects can only be revealed by surveying the material properties of a significant number of real objects. In this work, a sacrificial collection of ca. 100 historic parchments (fifteenth to twentieth century) was characterized using a range of techniques available to conservation practitioners that can usefully be used to reliably and rapidly characterize parchment. We focused on micro-destructive methods, such as shrinkage temperature (T_s), as the most widely used indicator of parchment degradation. Lipid content, roughness, and ink pH were additionally measured, while a limited number of samples containing iron gall ink were also examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and SEM-EDX, to explore the distribution of ink components. Even in the absence of detailed environmental histories, it is possible to acknowledge the significance of the effect of iron gall ink and its acidity, and of lipids on parchment degradation, as measured using T_s. This research reports valuable reference data, while the collection remains accessible for further research.     

论印刷型资源在高校法律图书馆馆藏建设中的地位——以华东政法大学图书馆为例

在以印刷型资源与数字资源作比较的基础上,分析了印刷型文献在馆藏建设方面所具有的优势,并以华东政法大学图书馆馆藏建设为例,阐述了高校法律图书馆在馆藏建设中仍需要以印刷型文献作为主要馆藏。     

对馆藏资源建设与读者服务的调查分析

本通过对大连医科大学图书馆的读进行调查和分析，一方面提出了改善馆藏资源体系，另一方面检验了图书馆服务工作的质量，明确了今后图书馆工作的重点和方向。     

Collection development for new librarians: Advice from the trenches

There are many challenges facing new librarians in the academic environment, including collection development. This article analyzes the topic of collection development and how it relates to new professionals in the field of librarianship. The article contains a literature review of papers discussing the collection development curriculum in library and information science programs, expected skills required of collection development offices, and library training programs for new librarians. The article also provides practical advise by recent graduates and their collection development experiences. Topics of discussion include acclimation to a new environment, collection development policies and procedures, liaison work, resource selection, and time management.     

Collections and systems: a new organizational paradigm for collection development

Collection development and the management of access to electronic resources in large academic libraries increasingly requires close cooperation between collection development librarians, public service librarians, and systems librarians and staff. Many libraries, both public and academic, have created new positions or converted existing ones with titles such as ‘electronic resources librarian’ or ‘electronic information coordinator.’ Two years ago, the Washington State University (WSU) Libraries decided to take a different approach to managing these two vital library functions by creating the new position of Assistant Director for Collections and Systems. This paper explores the convergence of collection development and systems in a research library. It sets forth the philosophical underpinnings of that convergence, and it discusses issues encountered in the integration of the two services in the WSU Libraries. Finally, it explores strategic issues for future collection development and management from the perspective of this new organizational paradigm. [1]     

Citators: Past,Present, and Future

ABSTRACT

Citators are one of the oldest and most important tools in the legal researcher's arsenal. They serve both as precautionary measures against bad law, and as a means of doing primary legal research. The evolution of citators plays an important roll in the development of both the legal publishing industry and legal research itself. This article examines many aspects of the legal citator—its history, development, uses, and possible future.     

数字资源选择标准研究:基于国内外馆藏发展政策的考察

选择国内外30家图书馆及协会、联盟发布的馆藏发展政策**为文本,对国内外图书馆采用的数字资源选择标准进行内容分析,探讨其特点与不足,以期为我国图书馆数字资源选择工作提供借鉴,提升数字资源选择工作的科学性和规范化。