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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a specialty collection implementation: lesbian fiction, in the Barnard College Library. Design/methodology/approach – The study employs a multistep approach to implement the development of a lesbian fiction collection. First, a collection profile was created to assess the current state of collection, and then a checklist was developed to serve as a collection development tool. Findings – The collection profile provides important information for the collection development process. Consistent subject heading access control is essential for collection assessment and maintenance. Practical implications – The collection proposal and the suggestions drawn by the study were adopted by Barnard Library for collection development and maintenance. The methodology applied and the resources consulted in the study can serve as references for academic librarians with similar collection development goals. Originality/value – Very few studies have been done to discuss issues related to the collection development of GLBT themed fiction, particularly lesbian fiction in an academic library. This paper provides a concrete example of how Barnard Library carried out the selection of lesbian novels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer a reflective analysis of a recent renovation project and a disaster recovery effort affecting multiple collections in a mid-sized university library. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides a case study. Findings – This paper examines planning for a re-carpeting project, particularly the unexpected challenges associated with renovation activities. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the discussion of collection disposition during renovation and disaster recovery projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to attempt to explore the basics of the collection of medieval manuscripts by institutions by outlining some of the basic principles, challenges, and innovations in the realm of medieval manuscript collection. Design/methodology/approach - Medieval manuscripts involve both curation and librarianship in every step of collection management. Few fields of librarianship involve such fragmented history. This paper explores this fragmentation and demonstrates the intricacies and diversity involved in the collection process. Finally, it examines some collaborative options for institutions to effectively collect together. Findings - Institutions can effectively collaborate in medieval manuscript acquisition. Practical implications - Institutions may be able to institute similar programs as those used in the case studies. Originality/value - It is more important than ever to maintain quality collections on smaller budgets. These findings can assist institutions in acquiring high quality pieces without premium funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Chinese gazetteers are one of the most important primary sources for the study of history of Chinese economy, politics, culture, military, and science and technology. Since the very beginning, the Yale East Asia Library has been keen on collecting Chinese gazetteers. However, unlike its peer research libraries in the USA, the Yale East Asia Library had never compiled a catalog or written an article about its gazetteer collection. The purpose of this paper is to systematically review, for the first time, original editions of Chinese gazetteers held in the Yale East Asia Library to reveal the holdings and research value. Design/methodology/approach – The author conducted a survey of original editions of Chinese gazetteers in the Yale East Asia Library by searching the Yale online library catalog and comparing with existing catalogs of Chinese local gazetteers compiled by other research libraries in the USA. The paper focuses on the edition, coverage, rarity and variety of Yale's holdings. Findings – According to the author's findings and preliminary research, Yale holds approximately 337 original Chinese gazetteers. The majority of them is rarely found in other North American research libraries and thus has high research value. They cover almost all provinces and municipalities in China and have a great variety of types. Research limitations/implications – Although the author tried to use various search strategies to look up in the Yale online library catalog to ensure high retrieval, the results here may not be accurate. Also it is likely that a number of Chinese gazetteers are not recorded in the Yale online library catalog because of backlogs. A physical survey of Chinese gazetteer holdings at Yale and more research need to be done in the future. Originality/value – This paper is the first of its kind to provide a systematic review of original editions of Chinese gazetteers held in the Yale East Asia Library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper sets out to explore the potential benefits of using digital photography in the evaluation of prospective donations of book collections. Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes a methodology for creating a collection of images to preserve bibliographic information from large book donations where time and distance restrictions limit the ability to carry out a thorough investigation on-site. This image collection will assist in the initial assessment of the collection's suitability for acceptance, documentation and creation of a gift list. Findings – Using digital photography allows for relatively quick and comprehensive documentation to aid in the evaluation of large potential gift-in-kind donations. Additional benefits realized from acquiring digital images may include automation of gift list creation, publicity for the newly acquired collection, and enhancing exhibitions. This methodology utilizes readily available and affordable equipment that will likely be well within the resources of most libraries. Originality/value – This paper offers practical advice on employing current and emerging digital technologies to assess and enhance gift-in-kind donations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper seeks to provide support and direction for academic libraries collecting popular materials. Design/methodology/approach – This paper offers a case study format supplemented by statistical and descriptive analyses. Findings – The paper presents literature and case history-based information on the debate surrounding popular materials collection in academic libraries. The case study provides concrete, cost-effective steps for academic libraries to use in building popular materials collections. Practical implications – The authors make the case for support of popular materials collections through detailed evaluation of circulation records. Originality/value – This paper offers a level of statistical analysis of circulation records unique to the library literature on popular materials collection. It also provides a distinctive case history of the evolution of a successful collection and includes easily adaptable steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper seeks to explore the utility of Springshare's LibGuides platform for special collections repositories and to evaluate the collection guides built by Special & Digital Collections at the University of South Florida in LibGuides. Design/methodology/approach - This paper explores how academic libraries have used LibGuides previously and provides a case study that suggests new ways for special collections repositories to make the most of the product. Findings - The simplicity and easy-to-update functionality of LibGuides works well for USF's Special & Digital Collections collection guides. The flexible API allowed SDC to embed digital content, enable user comments, advertise events, and measure the impact of various services. Practical implications - LibGuides provides an intuitive, simple, and cost-effective method to create dynamic and frequently updated guides to special collections. Originality/value - This is the first paper to explore the use of LibGuides in a special collections repository. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to offer a reflective analysis of project planning for the legal disposition of a large Federal Documents Collection in an off-site storage facility. Design/methodology/approach - This paper provides a case study. Findings - This paper examines specific steps in a project plan for relocation and disposition of Federal Documents received under the Federal Depository Library Program. Originality/value - The paper contributes to the discussion of library space needs, the disposition of tangible resources in an increasingly electronic age and the challenges libraries face in managing collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the availability and features of Latin American and Spanish online videos available through video vendors and other providers to US academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines US, Spanish, and Latin American video vendors that offer online videos about and/or are produced in Latin America and Spain. The study focuses on: content, technical aspects, and terms of purchase. For video vendors providing digital delivery systems, searching capabilities and special features are also analyzed. The paper also evaluates video providers interested in working with academic libraries. The availability of videos integrated in major multimedia databases is also explored. Findings – The paper concludes that the Spanish and Latin American online video marketplace for academic libraries is still emerging, especially for those video vendors located abroad. The relatively small number of offerings are mostly documentaries. Streaming via internet protocol access is the most common way of delivery. Term licenses are standard and access is allowed both off-campus and on-campus. Originality/value – Little research has been done on the availability of Latin American and Spanish online videos. This research would be especially useful for librarians responsible for collection development in these subject areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assist music selectors at academic and public libraries by providing resources useful for selecting popular sound recordings, while emphasizing the ongoing need for monitoring trends and new releases in popular music. Design/methodology/approach – This paper identifies key resources to aid the selection of popular music recordings, beginning with the challenges unique to popular music. The resources are divided into four major sections: online tools, print tools, periodical tools, and staying current. Findings – Popular music is widely collected by libraries, yet selection and acquisition is made difficult by the numerous genres and constant rotation of popular artists and albums. The utilization of a variety of online and print resources is ideal in order to build or maintain a well-stocked popular music collection. Originality/value – This paper offers guidance to librarians responsible for sound recordings. No previous discussions of music selection have considered popular music as a whole, while popular music recordings are widely collected by libraries and require a great deal of currency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine whether aggregator packages might be appropriate to replace or supplement print collections in business and nursing, it aims to identify e-book equivalents for print books acquired for an academic library's collections. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides a list of the library's acquisitions in two disciplines checked against e-book aggregators' holdings. The comparison is analyzed and discussed. Findings – The results confirm findings of a previous study showing that less than one-third of print books acquired for this library's nursing and business collections have e-book equivalents available from aggregators, so the aggregators' holdings do not strongly match the library's collecting profile. Research limitations/implications – The present study applies previous research to a different type of collection, and tests previous conclusions. Originality/value – This paper contributes to assessment of the value of e-book collections for academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of the baseline study on the state of digital heritage material preservation in Botswana. Design/methodology/approach - The study was part of a three-country United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Digital Heritage Preservation Project on the state of digital material preservation in Africa involving Botswana, Ethiopia and South Africa. The study uses the survey method consisting of various components data collection strategies including field work, document research, observations and the holding of a national consultative seminar an additional data input tool. The field study involved visiting 26 institutions that were identified as having the actual or potential of managing heritage materials in the country. Two other categories of institutions that were surveyed included the service providers of digitisation systems in the country. Findings - Findings revealed weak policy formulation on digitization both at the institutional and national levels; weak legislative framework for digital preservation; ill-defined national digitisation co-ordination for digitisation activities at institutional, national and regional levels; lack of awareness about the potential of digital preservation by national heritage institutions; a dearth of human resources for digitization; and lack of common standards on digital heritage materials preservation in Botswana. Research limitations/implications - Although the study was limited to institutions dealing with digital heritage materials preservation, the outcome of the study sheds more light on the challenges of preservation of digital materials in most of the institutions in Botswana. Practical implications - The results of this study presents useful strategic policy options for the management and preservation of digital materials in Botswana and other countries of Africa facing a similar environment. Originality/value - There is a dearth of literature on preservation of digital heritage materials in Africa, and this study provides useful insights that are unique and comparative experiences that exist on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe how the Brooklyn Campus Library of Long Island University evaluated the present budget allocation process and took corrective action regarding the distribution of the materials budget (books, CDs, DVDs, and VHS). Design/methodology/approach - A literature review is conducted to discern which (if any) budget allocation formulas would be useful in updating the budget allocation process. Findings - There is some controversy in the literature about the value of using a mathematical equation or formula to distribute the materials budget. Within the group of librarians who favor using these equations there is a debate as to which model is the most effective. Further, there is a division over the best approach to an allocation. The efficacy of allocation formulas, historical spending and circulation statistics are a few of the issues that are debated in the literature. Practical implications - This article provides useful information for acquisitions librarians in analyzing a budget line - in this case, the materials budget that in many libraries is being restricted or reduced. It serves as a reminder that processes need to be reviewed periodically as opposed to simply accepting the process because "that's the way it's always been done". Originality/value - The paper provides insight into an urban mid-sized library's acquisitions department efforts to manage more effectively the monies allocated to the department. Peer institutions may gain a new perspective that helps in their budget allocation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a variety of current resources associated with electroacoustic music suitable for updating academic and large public library collections. Design/methodology/approach - The approach taken in the paper is to identify resources meant to provide guidance in locating appropriate resources and to identify specific resources regarding electroacoustic collections that are grouped in several categories for ease of reading. Findings - The complexity of definition of electroacoustic music and its interdisciplinary nature has had a negative impact on availability of collection development guides for electroacoustic music. Furthermore, resource formats associated with this type of music are heavily dependent on technology and change with great frequency which makes them challenging to keep up with. Originality/value - The paper offers practical advice about updating electroacoustic music collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper seeks to replicate a study done in 1992 on the bibliographic availability of 55 popular culture periodicals sold by a Kroger supermarket in Royal Oak, Michigan. The earlier study asked the question whether time might be a relevant variable for the number of holding libraries. Design/methodology/approach - The authors searched WorldCat for the number of reported library holdings for the same 55 popular culture periodicals and analyzed the results. Findings - During both periods, 34 periodicals with holdings had a median increase of 58.4 percent; but, when the 83.5 percent increase in OCLC governing members during the same period was taken into account, holdings had a median decrease of 13.7 percent. For the 19 cases with no library holdings in 1992, eight (42.1 percent) now had library holdings, including several high circulation periodicals such as Marand Soap Opera Weekly. Practical implications - Popular culture materials read by many Americans are still not widely available in libraries or are not entered into WorldCat, the prime source for bibliographic holdings. Originality/value - This paper provides additional statistical evidence on the availability of popular culture materials in libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategic business partnerships inform business faculty-librarian (BFL) collaboration. This paper seeks to address how the motivations for business partnerships and faculty-librarian collaborations are similar. A conceptual model suggests that the depth of the BFL relationship significantly enhances electronic collection development outcomes. Literature concerning strategic business alliances, faculty-librarian collaborations, and collection development was examined to determine whether principles that ate applied to strategic business alliances can also be applied to BFL collaborations. A case-in-point is included for illustration. Specific principles of strategic business partnerships can be applied to BFL collaborations aimed at improving electronic collection development. In addition, driving forces such as assessment, communication, and technology influence the nature of alliances across the business and academic arenas. The findings are significant because they demonstrate how BFL collaborations can be made more effective through the application of business principles. BFL collaborations can positively influence electronic collection development in a variety of ways. The paper offers a new and unique conceptual model that improves understanding of the nature and depth of BFL collaborations in the context of electronic collection development. This paper will be of interest to business faculty in particular and faculty in general, and librarians working in diverse library settings, especially librarians aligned with management and business departments. Librarians in management positions will likely find this information useful as a means to increase faculty-librarian collaboration across all disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper discusses the topic of Collection Development in a digital environment. Developing digital collections is a logical consequence of inserting information technologies in organizations. The usual route towards other models of libraries has allowed the development of the digital collections as a source of Digital Libraries. Design/methodology/approach - This paper is based on the development of a user-oriented concept of digital collections. Findings - The current information society requires Collection Development to guarantee suitable resources in information organizations. Originality/value - The authors provide a new way of looking at the development of digital collections. In this paper the authors propose a cycle to create a digital collection starting from the established precepts for traditional Collection Development. The creation process is supplemented with an analysis of the term Collection Development starting from the user's focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The literature on collection development largely discusses all kinds of managerial and practical issues. However, there appear to be gaps in LIS literature regarding tracing the semantic developments of the subject. The paper attempts to explore the relationship between the use of varying collection-related terminologies and ever-emerging forms of scholarly publishing in libraries. Design/methodology/approach — An extensive review of the available literature was made to illustrate the impact of the developments in both production and formats of information sources on libraries' collection related patterns and expressions since the last quarter of the twentieth century. Findings — It was found that the related emerging terminology has been expanding rapidly because of the direct impact of the never-ending developments, though with different pace in different countries. The varying use pattern reflects the expansion in the aims and ways of functioning of a modern library. Originality/value — The paper falls in the category of "literature review" and provides an overview of the connection between developments in theory and practice of collection managing aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to discusses the importance of Native American literature in library collections. Design/methodology/approach - This paper is based on research of recent articles. Findings - The paper identifies many good titles on Native Americans that deserve to be in libraries so that the history and culture of Native Americans will be available to all users. Practical implications - Libraries should identify good quality books on Native Americans and by Native Americans to add to their collections. Many are now available so that it is not difficult to find appropriate ones that reflect contemporary views of Native Americans. Originality/value - This paper pulls together a good deal of recent information on books by and about Native Americans as well as pointing to some excellent collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage and assist collection of adult-level, graphic novels and book-length comics by women, and to demonstrate the breadth and depth of such work. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides a brief history of women and independent comics, tracing the medium's development from the 1970s underground comix movement to the present day. Individual creators and their works are discussed. Findings – In the early years of independent comics, many of the women creating them were consciously reacting to an overwhelmingly male-dominated profession. There was a high degree of shock value in these early works. As time went on the comics still tended towards the autobiographical, but storytelling gained importance. Most of the women creating comics today are still doing so from a woman's point of view, but their target audience seems more universal. Originality/value – Graphic novels are in increasing demand, both for scholarly and leisure reading. Guides to collecting graphic novels exist; however, the vast majority of the artists included in these guides are men. This paper fills a gap by introducing librarians to several women graphic novelists who have been overlooked thus far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a case study about how academic librarians can contribute to the interdisciplinary research endeavors of professors and students, especially doctoral candidates, through an intellectualized approach to collection development. Design/methodology/approach – In the wake of protest movements such as the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street, colleges and universities have begun to develop courses about these events, and it is anticipated that there will be much research conducted about their respective histories. Academic librarians can participate in those research efforts by developing interdisciplinary collections about protest movements and by referring researchers to those collections. Findings – Through a case-study approach, this paper provides a narrative bibliography about Southern Agrarianism that can help professors and students interested in the Tea Party or Occupy Wall Street movements to see their research endeavors from a new interdisciplinary perspective. Originality/value – The value of this paper lies in presenting a concrete example of the way in which academic librarians can become active research partners through the work of building collections and recommending sources in areas that professors and students may not have previously considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to provide a snapshot of student and staff attitudes towards e-books, collected through a web-based survey, as well as an analysis of use data for a specific universe of e-books provided via a patron-driven purchasing model and accessed during the survey timeframe. Design/methodology/approach – This research analyzed survey responses collected from May 2010 to December 2010 and use data for the universe of e-books made accessible via PDA, and used by library patrons, during this period. Findings – E-books are no longer a new phenomenon and the CSU Libraries have provided access to e-books for many years, yet users' prior experience with e-books, perspectives on desirable and undesirable e-book characteristics, and preferences for print versus e-books as provided by the libraries continue to vary. During the libraries' initial entry into PDA, e-books made accessible to users via this model received more use through browsing than sustained use or download, but relatively little use overall. The study provides a starting point for the continued analysis of this library's PDA program, now the primary mechanism used to provide its academic user community with book access. Practical implications – The authors present a review of the literature and research findings about academic users' interactions with, and preferences for, e-books. They provide a point-in-time analysis of user interactions with e-book titles made accessible via the libraries' PDA program and a subject-level study of the use of these titles. Originality/value – This paper presents point-of-use feedback regarding e-books, from academic users, and detailed information about e-book titles accessed via a PDA model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper seeks to determine the extent of e-book availability and how existing e-books might meet library needs as defined by monograph circulation. Design/methodology/approach – This study identified highly circulated print titles and searched for e-book versions available from aggregators or publishers. Findings – The results indicate inadequate coverage levels to allow for a discontinuance of print purchasing, but offer clues as to where e-books might have the greatest impact in this library's collection plans. Originality/value – The paper introduces a method whereby libraries may determine where e-book collections best meets user needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to summarize the importance of rare materials for academic libraries, including developments since the arrival of the internet and the effects of declining library budgets. Design/methodology/approach - The authors reviewed the literature on the subject coupled with their experiences with collection development. Findings - Collecting rare materials remains important for scholarly research, though harder to justify during a period of budget stringency. Academic libraries should discover creative ways to discover and add rare materials to their collections. Rare materials require special expertise in their acquisition, processing, storage, and use. Digitization is making rare materials more accessible but cannot substitute for the use of the originals in all cases. Practical implications - The authors provide a summary of recent thought on the status of rare materials in academic libraries - for libraries that include such collections or for those interested in increasing their holdings of rare materials. Originality/value - The paper provides a summary of recent trends in collecting rare materials in academic libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to examine the methods of diversity-related collection assessment useful for large academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach - Several examples of diversity-related collection assessment (circulation and use statistics, WorldCat Collection Analysis, comparison to standard bibliographies, focus groups, patron interviews and surveys, stewardship letters, and a diversity collection development statement) are explored. Findings - Libraries wishing to assess a collection for diversity should have a clear definition of diversity in place before assessment. Many collection assessment methods useful for determining the diversity of a collection are not applicable for large libraries. Additional tools may need to be developed to facilitate this type of assessment in the future, especially at large libraries. Originality/value - The paper encourages librarians at larger academic libraries to rethink how the collections are assessed for diversity needs, and illustrates methods useful in performing this assessment in larger institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to look at the nature of funding for collection development activities at Chancellor College Library, University of Malawi, and see how that impacts on the collection development activities of the institution. Design/methodology/approach - A case study methodological approach was used, coupled with a review of the literature, annual financial reports and acquisition statistics. Findings - The results of the study show that funding for collection development activities at Chancellor College Library was inadequate and that inadequacy of funding had seriously affected the library's collection development activities. Due to the prevailing conditions, the library had been forced to rely on donations and exchanges as the principal means of growing its collection. Practical implications - The study recommends some practical interventions, which, if implemented, could ease the financial difficulties Chancellor College Library faces. The interventions include lobbying for an increase in the materials budget, drawing up proposals for possible funding by both local and international organizations, and the introduction of a library fee to be paid by students. Originality/value - Research undertakings in the field of collection development in Malawian academic libraries are limited, causing a dearth of literature on the topic. This study is therefore significant in that it will help in some way in filling some of the knowledge gaps that exist in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe the collaborative collection development initiative undertaken by the Indonesia Social Equity Project. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents a brief history and descriptive analysis of an international collection development project. Findings - The paper examines practical issues that arose while building the library collection as a librarian/faculty collaboration, with the added element of having been conducted within a multicultural context. Originality/value - Similar case studies describing international collection development projects are rare in the literature. The article is of interest to librarians researching issues related to cross-cultural collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to introduce librarians who are not necessarily music specialists to four books on a subset of American popular song literature ("the American songbook" or "standards"), all of which assume some degree of musical literacy on the reader's part. This assumption sets these books apart from most writing on the subject, and the paper suggest reasons why this is the case. Design/methodology/approach - The books are grouped into pairs. The first two books are by a single author whose previous scholarship may make his interest in the American songbook seem surprising. In the other pair the second book is both a continuation of the first and a response to it. In both pairs the earlier book breaks new ground. Findings - All four books should be regarded as essential parts of a library's music literature collection. The first book discussed is more technical than the others, but its pioneering status makes it a landmark. Originality/value - The author's research indicates that the oldest of the books considered was not discussed in scholarly journals until many years after its publication, while the most recent appears to have received only glancing consideration in peer-reviewed literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe Qatar's Education City's six university libraries, their international patrons, collections, and services. Design/methodology/approach - The paper provides analysis of the data provided by various parties related to patrons, collections and services of the six university libraries in Qatar's Education during the calendar year of 2009. Findings - Education City's six branch libraries successfully support the needs of their patrons' curriculum and research needs especially in the e-resources. Originality/value - This research provides in-depth information for the Qatar Foundation, university and library administrators of main and branch campuses related to future e-licensing, collections acquisitions, and staffing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This paper aims to examine the trend of resource development at the University of Calabar Library, using gift items received from 2005 to 2009. Design/methodology/approach — The study adopts a descriptive research design based on survey. Relevant documents, including gift and donation files, acquisition records and library accession registers, were examined and analysed to provide answers to questions relating to study objectives. Findings — The usefulness of gifts to university library resource development is underscored by the quality and currency of the 2,462 volumes of materials received during the study period. Furthermore, the impact that collaborative donor efforts could make towards supporting university library resource development in the information age is highlighted. Associated problems included deficiency in subject coverage, foreign language materials, irregular giving patterns as well as an increasing tendency towards electronic resources acquisition where manual procedures are available. Practical implications — Acquisition librarians should intensify efforts at soliciting for and directing corporate giving endeavours towards providing for infrastructural support required for university library development in Nigeria. The deficiency in subject coverage highlighted in the study can be addressed if donor agencies are encouraged to adopt relevant library profiles or assign grants to core areas of university academic programs. There is also need for the inclusion or revision of gift statements in collection development policies. Originality/value — The paper highlights strategies for tackling the challenges of resource acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This paper seeks to provide recent case study evidence for the remarkable growth of electronic resources in academic library collections and to analyze growth patterns and impacts. Design/methodology/approach — A case study reviewed electronic resources growth at the University of Saskatchewan Library over a 12-year time series, from 1996-1997 to 2007-2008. The researcher collected data from the library's databases A-Z lists over the time series, compiled statistics and growth rates for both net holdings and new acquisitions, then analyzed and contextualized the results. Findings — The study reveals three electronic resources growth or development stages corresponding to advances in electronic resource types — i.e. bibliographic, full text and reference — and a pattern of sustained rapid growth. It was found that growth doubled within the last four years of the time series, with ±100 resources being added annually in the same period. Both internal and external events impacted on growth. Just as internal and external events contribute to the growth of electronic resources, new events such as economic decline may contribute to growth decline. Research limitations/implications — While the study is limited to a single academic library case, it has applications to similar academic library profiles across North America, where sustained rapid growth has had a significant impact on reference workers and researchers. Practical implications — This research provides a case study for describing electronic resources growth in academic libraries. The data and findings may help support funding increases, and an understanding of the extent of growth and its impact on reference workers and researchers. Originality/value — Although generalizations from one case study cannot be made, this study of electronic resources growth and its implications substantiates the general conviction that overwhelming growth has occurred and that the consequences for library services and systems is considerable. The paper applies the concept of growth or development stages: bibliographic, full text and reference, to describe the evolution of electronic resources in an academic library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to evaluate the reception of the Amazon Kindle e-book lending program at the Texas A&M University Libraries. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents an analysis of genre of titles requested to be loaded onto the e-book readers as well as a general review of the e-book lending model. Findings - The Kindle e-book readers were extremely popular, and users selected titles for them that were mostly of a general reading nature; academic titles were rarely selected. The Texas A&M lending service has been successful and will continue. Other libraries should investigate e-book readers to supplement their bestseller and new book collections. Practical implications - E-book devices offer sophisticated users a reading option that fits many needs. This is a relatively new way that libraries can offer sophisticated users options for reading; libraries must continue to invest in new ways of delivering content. Originality/value - This is the first study on e-book reader lending services in libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe how online survey tools can be utilized to gather input and feedback from faculty related to monographic collection decisions to evaluate current and guide future decision making. Design/methodology/approach - The use of an online survey tool for a particular collection development project is described and results of the survey are analyzed. Findings - It is found that online survey tools are an easy and valuable tool for gathering direct feedback from faculty and provide opportunities to engage faculty in conversations about a wide range of scholarly communications issues. Research limitations/implications - Online survey tools provide one means of evaluating collection development decisions that should be utilized in conjunction with other methodologies, e.g. circulation studies. Online survey tools can be utilized to allow faculty to recommend items for immediate purchase but could also be used to study faculty reactions to purchases that have already been made. Originality/value - The process and procedure outlined could be used by collection development librarians to evaluate current and historic collection development decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to understand how electronic grey literature is being incorporated into Women's Studies collections at academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach - The electronic grey literature holdings of four American academic libraries at universities with graduate Women's Studies programs were collected and analyzed. This included: databases; digital special collections; web sites; and online course guides that the library had created for Women's Studies courses. Findings - Women's Studies International and GeriderWatch were the two most popular databases, being available at three of the four libraries studied. The most popular web sites were University of Wisconsin - Women's Studies Librarian (www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/WomensStudies/) and WSSLinks: Women and Gender Studies web sites (http://libr.org/wss/wsslinks/index.html). Recommended web sites were overwhelmingly multidisciplinary in nature and covered a variety of topics related to Women's Studies such as business, art, health, music, and philosophy. The digital collections with women's grey literature all dealt with historical topics and were either about a specific group of people or a specific person or place that had a tie to the university where it was housed. Originality/value - Grey literature is becoming an increasing popular topic in collection development and document preservation. However, there is little research on grey literature created by women. Specific databases and web sites that were found in the collections studied are mentioned so that other libraries may use the information to enhance their own collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]