Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya Research Review

A Peer Reviewed National Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Online ISSN : 2456-1681

Vol.2:2017

THE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WITH SIGNIFICANCE

TO LIBRARIES: AN OVERVIEW

Rajat Ari

Central Library,
Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya,
Tamluk, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal,India
E-Mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Collection development is a dynamic and an essential process for every library. It involves determining
the selection policy, identification of the requirements, selection of documents, resource sharing and
proper budgeting. It is very important to evaluate the library collection and library professionals play a vital
role in this aspect. It is important to maintain a balanced and quality collection.

Keywords: Collection Development, Collection Development Policy, Library Document.

Introduction

Collection development is a process that provides the basic step for systematic development in
library collection. It is a challenging activity which involves acquiring, selecting, preserving and
weeding out of documents after analyzing / assessing user needs. A good and proper library
collection helps to serve in studying, teaching, research activity and fulfilling other needs of the
library users.

Definition

According to Lower Columbia College, collection development is the means by which the
library provides high quality information resources of print and non-print materials and provides
access to electronic resources that will meet instructional requirements.

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A Peer Reviewed National Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Online ISSN : 2456-1681
Vol.2:2017

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) emphasizes that

acquisition and collection development focuses on the methodological and topical themes
pertaining to acquisition of print and other analogue library materials (by purchase, exchange,
gift, legal deposit), and the licensing and purchase of electronic information resources.

Purpose of Collection Development

The basic goal of the collection development process is to build a collection that help to
satisfy the need of the users of a particular library. It is the duty of the library to assess and
recognize the requirement of its users and build up their collection accordingly so that relevant
information can be provided. The entire library collection comprises materials that are in print,
non-print, electronic and other formats.
Collection development is a continuous process which involves the participation of
users, librarian and library staff, subject expert and others.

The purpose of collection development includes:

 To develop a collection that satisfies the need of the users.

 To select best and useful documents for the users.
 To provide better and current information service according to users’ approach.
 To review the old stock periodically and withdraw the unused, unwanted and useless
materials.
 To use the fund judiciously in buying new useful materials and documents.
 To ensure that available resource support the aim of the institute following certain
policies and principles.

Steps involved in Collection Development

It is process of building a collection for meeting the information need of the users. The
process comprises:
 Analysing the information need.
 Developing a selection policy and implementing them.
 Acquisition of materials.
 Evaluation
 Recourse sharing and its effect on collection development.
 Weeding out policy.

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Tamralipta Mahavidyalaya Research Review
A Peer Reviewed National Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Online ISSN : 2456-1681
Vol.2:2017

Need Analysis

Policy Implementation (Selection)

Acquisition
Collection
Development
Evaluation

Resource Sharing

Weeding out

Fig.1: Steps in Collection Development

Need for Collection Development

There are a number of reasons for which a proper and systematic procedure is maintained while
acquiring documents for a library. Some of the needs for the collection development are:

i. Increasing demand of the users.

ii. Information explosion.
iii. Limited budget.
iv. Increasing prices of documents.
v. Availability of information resources in various formats (print, non-print, audio-visual,
etc.)

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A Peer Reviewed National Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Online ISSN : 2456-1681
Vol.2:2017

Collection Development Policy

Collection Development policy provides a theoretical overview that explains the

educational, social and cultural rationale for the development of the collection. It also states the
directions, guidelines, controls and standards for the overall management of the collection.
According to Paul Mosher, “collection development is a process that should constitute a
rational, documented programme guided by written policies and protocols and should reflect, in
sense a contrast between library users and library staff as to what will be required, for whom at
what levels.”
Fourine describes collection development policy as “the written statement that provides
planning and implementation guidelines for most collection building tasks”.
M.K. Donave and others has stated the purpose of collection development policy in the
following way:

1. “To provide a public document which reflects the internal process of evaluation by which
the university library determines collection objectives.
2. To represent an objective process for establishing long and short-range priorities for
collection intensity and depth.
3. To facilitate consistency in planning and communicating priorities.
4. To provide guidance for fund allocation and approval profile construction.
5. To determine areas of cooperative sharing and development of resources.
6. To provide guidance in withdrawal of materials from the collection.”

Advantages of Collection Development Policy

There are certain advantages for having a proper Collection Development Policy

i. It helps in giving a base for accurate planning of collection development.

ii. It helps in best selection and acquisition of library documents.
iii. It helps in appropriate use of funds for acquiring books and other library documents.
iv. It helps in weeding out of unwanted materials.

Role of Librarian and the Library Committee in the Collection Development

The collection development activity requires professionals such as the librarians for
proper implementation. Collection development requires mainly subjective judgment and the
expenditure involved. Regarding the judgment, the professionals have to decide about the

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A Peer Reviewed National Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Online ISSN : 2456-1681
Vol.2:2017

already existing materials / collections and also selection of new materials. These activities
require expert knowledge as it will affect in shaping the overall collection the library.Suggestions
from subject experts can be sought in this process. Both short and long term goals as well as
priorities have to be taken into account during selection of materials. Regarding expenditure,
budgets have to be allocated as selection for purchase depends on it.

Regarding the policy making and the management of the library, the librarian is assisted
by the administrative experts of that particular organization. The Librarian along with these
persons comprises the Library Committee. In other words, Library Committee is a body
consisting of several members that is engaged in governing a library.

Usually, universities and colleges have library committee which along with the librarian
act as an advisory body and formulate policies for development.

Weeding and withdrawal

Weeding is a vital component in the collection development process. It involves removal

of documents and materials from collection that are not useful or whose services are no longer
required. The librarian with the library staff evaluate the collections periodically taking into
account the currency, relevance, condition and age of the document. Those materials that meet
the standard criteria are kept in the library.

In the modern age of information explosion, numerous documents are published daily.
New ideas and thoughts are generated outdating the previous ones. Moreover, the problems of
fund and space have to be considered.

Evaluation of Collection Development

For proper evaluation of collection development, the following important aspects are to be
taken into account:
 According to the objectives set for collection development
 According to the users approach or need
 Updating the collection
 Physical form of the materials
 Authenticity and reliability of the materials
 Frequency of use of the materials
 Physical condition of the materials

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A Peer Reviewed National Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Online ISSN : 2456-1681
Vol.2:2017

Conclusion:

Collection development is an important part of a library in any institute that provides the
users with information they need. The main responsibility rests on the librarian along with other
experts who are involved in the process. Both the traditional as well as electronic or digital
materials have to be considered together in building up the collection.

References:

1. Gorman, G.E. and B.R. Howes(1989). Collection Development for Libraries. Topics in
Library and Information Studies. London; New York: Bowker-Saur.

2. Bhushan, A.(2007). “Collection management in Libraries” New Delhi : Cyber tech

publication.

3. Evans, Robert W. (1985). “Collection development policy statements : the

documentation process”, Collective Mangaemet, 7(1), pp. 63 – 73

4. Katz, W. A. (1994). “Book selection and collection building: evolution of the art”. In P.
Johnson & S. S. Intner (Eds.), Recruiting, Educating, and Training Librarians for
Collection Development (pp. 3 -16). Westport, Conn : Greenwood Press.

5. Katz, William A. (1980). “Collection Development: The Selection of Materials for

Libraries”. New York : Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

6. Patel, Sanjay(2016). “Collection Development in academic libraries. International Journal

of Library & Information Science. Vol.8(7), pp. 62-67, Nov.

7. Singh, R.K. and Sengar, Sunita (2007). “Library collection development and acquisition
systems” New Delhi : Shree Publisher & Distribution, pp.1-40 & 43-47.

8. Vohra, Ranjana (2003), “Collection Development and Management in University

Libraries the Current Electronic Information Environment, IASLIC Bulletin, 48(4), 244-
230.

9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collection_development

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A Peer Reviewed National Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Online ISSN : 2456-1681
Vol.2:2017

10. https://library.ipfw.edu/about/policies/collection_development_policy.html

11. https://slideplayer.com/slide/7052352/

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