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PurposeThe 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/approachIn 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.FindingsThrough 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/valueThe 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.

PurposeThe 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/approachThis paper provides a case study.FindingsThis paper examines planning for a re‐carpeting project, particularly the unexpected challenges associated with renovation activities.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the discussion of collection disposition during renovation and disaster recovery projects.

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to document the acquisition and processing of an important landscape architecture archive, the J.B. Jackson Collection, and making it available for scholars and researchers.Design/methodology/approachThe first part of the article describes the importance of Jackson's contribution to landscape architecture and his professional legacy. This legacy consisted in a large collection of slides, scattered among various individuals and institutions. The authors then address how the various parts of the collection were identified, acquired, digitized and brought to the University of New Mexico (UNM). Metadata creation and issues of copyright are also discussed.FindingsThe paper finds that it requires considerable professional effort and networking to take a working collection and transform it into an archive that has intellectual cogency.Research limitations/implicationsUNM's effort to acquire, preserve and make this collection widely available will inspire future scholars and spark new ways of looking at landscape.Practical implicationsThe extensive restoration needed for the Jackson slides warranted a vendor with museum experience, in this instance, Two Cat Digital. Metadata creation requires training qualified personnel. Copyright limitations dictate how the slides display.Originality/valueJ.B. Jackson defined the vernacular landscape. This project made his distinctive and important collection available to the research community. The paper also discussed the process of taking a working collection and turning it into a bona fide research tool.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to find out ways in which collection development practices in private university libraries in Kenya could be enhanced by the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on research that was carried out on the application of ICTs in collection development in selected private universities in Kenya. The study was done using a survey method. Three universities and a total of 72 respondents were purposively selected for the study. The respondents included librarians, faculty deans and postgraduate students from the three universities.FindingsThe findings indicated that ICTs were available in all the three selected universities but their application in collection development was not adequate in ensuring efficiency and in making sure that the library collections are effective in meeting the needs of the users.Originality/valueWith the changing information environment and users' information needs, libraries are being compelled to adopt ICTs in order to remain relevant and increase their value and meet the changing needs of the users. The paper recommends different ways of applying ICTs in all the processes of collection development to make the process more efficient and effective in meeting the needs of the users.

PurposeThis paper aims to determine the adequacy of the public library system with respect to the total population as well as the viable population of different regions of Tehran city, the capital of Iran, especially pertaining to book collections in accordance with the IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted through a questionnaire distributed to librarians of the public libraries under study. The other resources of data used for this study are annual reports and official records of the libraries at the provincial and national level.FindingsThe findings reveal the ratio of book collections with respect to the viable population of different regions of Tehran. Only one of 22 regions has a book collection as per IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines.Originality/valueThis paper highlights how public libraries in Tehran are providing access to information resources and whether the book collections of the libraries are adequate as per international standards. It also suggests certain improvements for the existing system.

PurposeThis paper sets out to examine the use of an automatic acquisition plan to acquire international children's award book winners in academic libraries and to offer suggestions for promoting these resources.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examined the vendor's website, vendor‐created spreadsheets detailing award‐winning children's books from 2007‐2009, and book award websites.FindingsThe findings show that acquiring international children's award book winners using an automatic acquisition plan is an excellent starting‐point for developing international children's award collections. Featured awards favor works in English. Award books from all continents and regions are not available, but award winners chosen by ethnic and international organizations can be selected to broaden the ethnic and cultural diversity of the resources.Originality/valueThis paper details a beginning point for acquiring and promoting international children's award book winners for academic libraries in order to support multiculturalism and globalism by diversifying curriculum materials collection and providing vital resources for future educators and the larger campus community.

PurposeThe 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/approachThis paper provides a case study.FindingsThis paper examines specific steps in a project plan for relocation and disposition of Federal Documents received under the Federal Depository Library Program.Originality/valueThe 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.

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the methods of diversity‐related collection assessment useful for large academic libraries.Design/methodology/approachSeveral 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.FindingsLibraries 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/valueThe 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.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the collaborative collection development initiative undertaken by the Indonesia Social Equity Project.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a brief history and descriptive analysis of an international collection development project.FindingsThe 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/valueSimilar 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.

PurposeThis 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/approachThe authors reviewed the literature on the subject coupled with their experiences with collection development.FindingsCollecting 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 implicationsThe 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/valueThe paper provides a summary of recent trends in collecting rare materials in academic libraries.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe Qatar's Education City's six university libraries, their international patrons, collections, and services.Design/methodology/approachThe 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.FindingsEducation City's six branch libraries successfully support the needs of their patrons' curriculum and research needs especially in the e‐resources.Originality/valueThis 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.

PurposeThis 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/approachThe 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.FindingsThe 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 implicationsAcquisition 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/valueThe paper highlights strategies for tackling the challenges of resource acquisition.

PurposeThis 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/approachA 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.FindingsThe 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/implicationsWhile 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 implicationsThis 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/valueAlthough 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.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a specialty collection implementation: lesbian fiction, in the Barnard College Library.Design/methodology/approachThe 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.FindingsThe collection profile provides important information for the collection development process. Consistent subject heading access control is essential for collection assessment and maintenance.Practical implicationsThe 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/valueVery 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.

PurposeThe 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/approachThis paper provides a list of the library's acquisitions in two disciplines checked against e‐book aggregators' holdings. The comparison is analyzed and discussed.FindingsThe 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/implicationsThe present study applies previous research to a different type of collection, and tests previous conclusions.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to assessment of the value of e‐book collections for academic libraries.

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the use of the WorldCat Collection Analysis tool and other measurements to analyze the strengths of collections supporting doctoral programs in a Carnegie Class 1 research university in order to enhance budgetary support for these collections.Design/methodology/approachIn 2006 the Colorado State University (CSU) Libraries were asked to assess the library's support of doctoral programs in 12 key discipline areas. Peer institutions were selected and permission was obtained to access relevant statistics from their collection at the Libraries using the Collection Analysis tool, and relevant metrics for analyzing journal holdings. Use of the metrics for analysis of monograph and journal holdings and comparison of holdings between institutions is examined.FindingsThis case study analyzes how results obtained through use of the Collection Analysis tool and measurements of journal holdings were integrated with results from the broader analysis to achieve a valid comparison between strengths of collections. The authors then look at how this analysis was translated into requests for additional funding for access to materials that would support doctoral level research.Originality/valueThis paper shows how currently available tools for collection management can be used to educate a university community about the budgetary requirements of building graduate research level collections and to make a case for increased funding to support these collections.

PurposeThis 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/approachThe authors searched WorldCat for the number of reported library holdings for the same 55 popular culture periodicals and analyzed the results.FindingsDuring 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 Star and Soap Opera Weekly.Practical implicationsPopular 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/valueThis paper provides additional statistical evidence on the availability of popular culture materials in libraries.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discover the characteristics and quality of interlibrary loan (ILL) titles, and determine whether purchasing ILL titles is a useful collection development method.Design/methodology/approachThe study analyzed document containing 18,322 monographic education and psychology monographs borrowed by Southern Illinois University Carbondale patrons through I‐Share, Illinois' statewide catalog, during the 2004 calendar year. Education and psychology books account for 574 of the 18,322 titles. The study located 132 reviews for 92 of the titles by searching PsycINFO and Education Abstracts. It recorded reviewer recommendation, publication date, publisher, source of review, and list price.FindingsThe paper finds that ILL titles are high quality, inexpensive, new, and easy to obtain. Average list price of education and psychology ILL titles is $48.82. A total of 60 percent of the titles were published in the last three years. Only 7 percent of the titles received negative reviews.Practical implicationsThe paper recommends that Southern Illinois University Carbondale and, potentially, other academic libraries develop books‐on‐demand programs because most of the books in the present study are high‐quality, inexpensive, new, and easy to obtain; ILL titles represent research needs of university community; multiple library patrons will benefit; equity will be added to the library's collection; and ILL titles are likely to circulate again.Originality/valuePrevious studies report results of pilot books‐on demand programs. The current study provides background reasons for a books‐on‐demand program (reading book reviews of titles borrowed through ILL) and presents a new aspect of the relationship between collection development and ILL.

PurposeTo explore the relationship between the importance of African studies programs and the acquisition of African imprint titles in four selected American academic libraries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the characteristics of the African studies programs in four universities in comparison with library holdings including the percentage of holdings from four major English‐language African publishers.FindingThe four research libraries acquire substantial numbers of African monographs in keeping with the importance of their African studies programs.Originality/valueThe paper provides information on four major African studies programs and the library holdings that support them.

PurposeThis paper proposes describing the collection assessment process adapted to fit the integrated government documents collection at Jacksonville State University's Houston Cole Library.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on the Library's experience conducting an assessment of its integrated government documents collection using an adaptation of the WLN conspectus method.FindingsThe author describes the adaptations made, obstacles overcome, results of the assessment, and conclusions drawn from it.Practical implicationsAs a result of this assessment, procedures were established for future assessments of the collection, and the results of the assessment were used to aid in the selection process.Originality/valueThis paper provides a model for conducting an assessment of an integrated government documents collection that other libraries can follow and fills a gap in the literature of government documents collection management.

This paper notes that the rapid rate of demographic change in the United States of America population means that librarians must integrate Spanish language materials into their collections now if they have not already done so. It attempts to compile a current collection of high quality resources that will assist librarians in their Spanish language collection building. The paper takes an inclusive perspective and no distinction is made between Chicano, Puerto Rican, Filipino, and other geographic or cultural sub‐groups of Spanish speakers.

PurposeThe paper seeks to provide a selective bibliography for librarians responsible for music collections and resources pertaining to the history and literature of the wind ensemble, an area frequently underrepresented in our collections.Design/methodology/approachA range of resources of value to music students and faculty are described to enable librarians and students to make selections appropriate for their needs. The works are divided into two sections: history and literature, and scores.FindingsInformation is provided about each work, including publisher.Originality/valueThis paper offers practical suggestions for librarians responsible for music collections.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to document the work of collection development coordinators.Design/methodology/approachEach of the three collection development coordinators was interviewed.FindingsAlthough each collection development coordinator had a slightly different approach, they were all concerned with some of the same issues which include the balance of print and e‐resources to be acquired and how to market the library's resources to its users.Originality/valueThis paper will provide insight into the work of collection development coordinators at the beginning of the twenty‐first century.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on the highlights of the 2009 Charleston Conference.Design/methodology/approachThe paper documents the presentations given at the conference.FindingsThe Charleston Conference report discusses new directions in many areas of collection development, including trends in e‐books, user‐driven acquisitions, preservation of materials, and working with vendors.Practical implicationsThe report discusses new ideas and new directions in many areas of collection development that alert librarians to changes on the horizon.Originality/valueThis paper is of interest to library and information management professionals.

PurposeThis paper seeks to describe the Canadian Library Association's 2007 pre‐conference, Collections 2007: Reinvigorating Collection Development and Management.Design/methodology/approachThis paper summarizes the various papers, describing actual collections practices in a variety of library and information center settings that made up the CLA Collections pre‐conference.FindingsThe paper finds that collections development activities in academic, public and special libraries are characterized by a diversity of approaches and methods.Originality/valueThis paper provides a brief summary of some of the practical approaches to collections building in a variety of library and information center settings.

Purpose – The “build it and they will come approach” is a largely accepted proposition in the library community, particularly in the area of special collections. There is, at times, little critical analysis given to collection development, digitization efforts or information literacy instruction in regard to how these hard-to-serve but research-rich materials might be used in the classroom. Instead, there exists a benevolent know-it-all expert determining which collections warrant preservation, digitization, acquisition and, ultimately, attention. At California State University (CSU) Channel Islands (CI), the user – teachers and students – is the focus of all special collection activities, and we have devised innovative ways to both encourage students and faculty to engage these materials as well as foster their appreciation, awareness and use on campus. Design/methodology/approach – This paper explores three ways that librarians at the John Spoor Broome Library encourage and facilitate the use of primary documents housed in unique collections to support undergraduate student research. Findings – The use of high-impact teaching practices, like undergraduate research, is an important tool in promoting retention and increasing graduation rates, particularly for underrepresented minorities. At CSU CI and the John Spoor Broome Library, engaging students with primary documents is a focus of unique collections work that benefits both students and the Library alike. Originality/value – Digitization is a key component of most special collections work in the library world today, but perhaps efforts focused on promoting use are lacking. At CI, use is the primary focus of all unique collections work and, thus, could be a model for other libraries and archive departments.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate if collection developers in American academic libraries have added predominantly “yellowface” movies to their collections, or have actively sought out movies created and acted by Asian and Asian Americans, to balance out their libraries' collections.Design/methodology/approachIn total, ten acknowledged “yellowface” movies and ten critically acclaimed Asian and Asian American movies were chosen. The collections of 157 academic libraries throughout the entire USA were then surveyed, including geographical areas that have had very few Asians or Asian Americans in their populations throughout their histories.FindingsThe results show that neither “yellowface” movies nor Asian and Asian American movies are overtly dominant in the collections of American academic librarians, and one can conclude that the collection developers actively sought to find a balance between movies in both categories, no matter the geographical locations of their libraries.Social implicationsNo matter how unsavory is our racist past, representations of past bigotry and discrimination should be available for scholars of history, cultural studies, and sociology. However, interpretations of Asians defined with this jaundiced eye must be balanced with movies of Asians and Asian Americans defining themselves.Originality/valueThe area of Asian and Asian American movies is rather small and arcane, yet the results of this survey show that there are no academic areas too small or narrow that do not demand the attention of a knowledgeable collection developer.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to document and compare the extent of book collections on the topic of the Taliban in selected academic libraries in New York and New Jersey, the New York Public Library and the military academy at West Point.Design/methodology/approachBooks on the Taliban were chosen as an index of the Afghanistan war since the Taliban are its major defining element. WorldCat was searched (www.worldcat.org) using the following criteria: “kw: taliban” > “English” > “Non‐Fiction” > “Non‐Juvenile”. In total 1,668 titles were found. Duplicates were eliminated, as were theses, government publications, ephemera and other items. Closely related titles were amalgamated. Only works that had “Taliban” in the title or subtitle were chosen from the cumulative groups above, resulting in a total of 83 titles.FindingsOnly two libraries crossed 50 percent of the “core” collection of 83 titles. A total of 27 percent of the 83 titles (n=22) were not held by any library, and only seven books were in all libraries. New York Public Library topped the modest rankings and scored above the academic libraries and West Point. West Point ranked last by a big margin (29 points). New York Public Library scored better than all the academic libraries with 49 percent of the 83 titles, followed closely by Columbia University with 46 percent. There was an eight‐point drop to 38 percent for New York University, which modestly outpointed the 35 percent for Princeton.Research limitations/implicationsA possible research limitation is that the degree of library holdings may not reflect the low level of engagement by the public, academia and military in the ongoing wars.Social implicationsThe research may indicate a low priority by collection development librarians in public libraries and in the libraries of academic and military colleges to develop a comprehensive collection of material on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The paper argues that more extensive collections should be built despite the media and the general population's antipathy to the war. A comprehensive collection for students, scholars, the public and the next generation of officers about a contemporary war which has profound financial, political and military sequelae should be a priority for collection‐building librarians.Originality/valueThe low holdings of books on the Taliban, and hence the war in Afghanistan, in public and academic libraries and the library of West Point may reflect the low level of interest of the US population in the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq (and Libya).

PurposePrior to 9/11, terrorism was subject to political, scholarly, and media debates. A large body of literature on the topic reflected researchers' long‐standing interest in the topic. In the near decade since 9/11, terrorism and its threat have only gained urgency. This paper aims to provide a selected bibliography of resources, in print and electronic format, that focus on terrorism. Public and academic libraries have been providing access to terrorism‐related resources, but no thematic bibliography has been published in professional journals since 2001. This guide aims to aid librarians in making decisions about developing and maintaining collections on the topic.Design/methodology/approachThe authors consulted a variety of sources, including the Library of Congress catalog, WorldCat, Bowker's Global Books in Print database, book reviews in Choice, Booklist, and in journals within terrorism studies. As John Jay College of Criminal Justice is home to The Center on Terrorism and the college offers an MA Certificate Program in Terrorism Studies, the authors also consulted the college library collection that supports these scholarly activities on terrorism at the college.Practical implicationsBecause of the volume of terrorism‐related scholarship and the number of available resources on the topic, this bibliography does not purport to be complete.FindingsIncluded in this guide are print and electronic encyclopedias, books, periodicals, databases, and websites covering terrorism.Originality/valueThis guide aims to assist students, faculty, and the general public in navigating the vast array of terrorism‐related resources. Focusing on research conducted and published since 2001, it is also intended as a guide for public and academic librarians who develop, maintain, or evaluate a collection on the topic.

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an alternative method of building quality collections for Jewish Studies collection development professionals in small and medium‐sized academic libraries with highly restricted budgets.Design/methodology/approachSources of Jewish Studies literary awards were identified and a detailed analysis of awarded books' subjects and the publishing sources was conducted.FindingsThe results show that awarded books cover a vast variety of subjects of interest to Jewish Studies collections. Since many of them are also published by academic presses, the use of identified Jewish Studies book award sources should be considered by bibliographers responsible for building Jewish Studies collections in non‐sectarian college libraries with very limited budgetary resources.Practical implicationsThe “one stop” access to all award sources and awarded books provides an easy access to otherwise dispersed information.Originality/valueThe comprehensive list of awards, nominated and winning titles, as well as the subject analysis presented herein, is the first of its kind. This can be used by Jewish Studies bibliographers to build and improve their collections and can also serve as a model for building other interdisciplinary subject collections.

Purpose – Purpose: As collection development in research libraries becomes increasingly homogeneous and “e-preferred”, it is our heritage collections that differentiate us and anchor the physical presence of our institutions. These valuable heritage resources, vital for teaching, researching, and learning are unfortunately too often inaccessible, uncatalogued, and ultimately undiscoverable. This paper focuses on the curation of special collections as a means of exposing hidden collections and discusses practical steps undertaken to highlight unique print materials in the digital age. Design/methodology/approach – This case study describes the transformation of a hidden collection into a teaching collection through the exhibition of uncatalogued Islamic manuscripts, their associated digital component and the resulting faculty–librarian collaboration. Findings – By sharing print collections through exhibitions with an associated digital component, we are both increasing the visibility of, and improving access to the material. Originality/value – This case study outlines a successful approach to exposing hidden collections to support an innovative teaching and learning environment.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an annotated bibliography of the new poetry volumes from the Poets House 2009 Poetry Showcase.Design/methodology/approachThe titles were selected from the Poets House 2009 Poetry Showcase as titles that are both challenging and accessible.FindingsThis list provides the librarian and reader with a guide to collection development in poetry.Originality/valueThis is one of the few lists of its kind showcasing contemporary poetry.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand how electronic grey literature is being incorporated into Women's Studies collections at academic libraries.Design/methodology/approachThe 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.FindingsWomen's Studies International and GenderWatch 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/valueGrey 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.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce librarians, faculty, and other interested individuals to contemporary German literature in English translation.Design/methodology/approachGerman‐language authors born in 1950 or later and listed on the Contemporary Living Authors Comprehensive List developed by the German vendor Otto Harrassowitz are searched in OCLC's WorldCat database to determine the existence of English translations. A bio‐bibliographical list is then developed featuring all contemporary German‐language authors who have achieved an English language translation of at least one of their literary works.FindingsOf the approximately 1,400 writers on Harrassowitz's comprehensive list, a surprisingly large number of almost 80 authors of the younger generation (born in 1950 or later) have been translated into English.Originality/valueThis bio‐bibliography of contemporary German belles lettres (of the younger generation) in English translation is the first of its kind. It can be used by librarians to check their current library holdings and to expand their collections of German literature in English translation.

PurposeThis article seeks to suggest that pedagogical forums published in two major professional associations' publications can contribute to the literature on collection for academic historians.Design/methodology/approachThe author surveys the literature on historians' information needs and surveys articles published in the pedagogical forums for what they reveal about historians' use of electronic resources.FindingsThe forums provide useful bibliographic information regarding e‐resources for faculty and collection officers alike; additionally, they provide a useful starting point for discussions of desired learning outcomes, leading to better support for teaching/curricular needs.Research limitations/implicationsFindings are limited to academic historians and are also skewed toward US historians, since more articles on e‐resources appeared in the forum dedicated to US‐historical pedagogy than in the forum encompassing historians of all areas.Practical implicationsSimilar research could be done on pedagogical forums in other academic fields.Originality/valueThis paper examines a field's pedagogical methodology to draw conclusions about collections management for that field.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the overall currency of electronic books in the Safari database; to determine currency and release policies of the individual publishers who contribute books to the Safari database; to compare the usage patterns of Safari books to their print counterparts at Texas A&M University; and to discuss the impact of the Safari e‐book collection and chosen purchase model upon collection management at the university.Design/methodology/approachTo determine currency of titles in Safari, the availability of the most recent edition of a title in the Safari database was checked against the availability of the print edition on the publisher's website. To determine the publishers' release policies, a questionnaire was developed and e‐mailed to them.FindingsOf the titles in the Safari database 98.4 percent were the most current edition available. Release policies of the major Safari publishers (O'Reilly and Pearson) indicate that the electronic version of a title is released when the print version is sent to press. No Starch Press, a minor Safari publisher releases its books in Safari 90 days after the print goes on sale. Thomson would not make this information public and the remainder did not respond to the questionnaire.Practical implicationsSubscription to the Safari database (current file) makes available to multiple users the most current computer science and information technology books released by popular publishers. It eliminates the need to expend funds for multiple and replacement copies of this highly requested material.Originality/valueThe current file purchase model assumes that the most recent editions of these popular books are available in Safari. The study indicates that librarians and patrons can be assured that they are accessing the most current editions available.

PurposeProvides a comprehensive review of the significance attributed to the usefulness, practicality and appropriateness of graphic novels in the school library media center with specific implications for collection development.Design/methodology/approachA careful review of recent literature provides the school media specialist with an overview of graphic novels including definitions, challenges, benefits, helpful resources, curricular connections and collection development issues. The sources reflect the recent trends in the increasing popularity of graphic novels and their use and benefit in school media centers.FindingsPresents information on the definitions of graphic novels and the challenges and benefits specific to the school media center. Notes that while challenges exist, the benefits of including graphic novels in the school library media center are many, including engaging reluctant readers. Offers practical information for collection development and provides useful sources that serve many purposes.Practical implicationsOffers background information for the school library media specialist about graphic novels. Includes advice and practical strategies for building a graphic novel collection in the school media center.Originality/valueThis paper reflects recent trends toward increased interest in graphic novels and offers the school media specialist practical advice on how to best meet that growing interest by including graphic novels in the school media center.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present information on how to organize and carry out a weeding project in an academic library.Design/methodology/approachDescribes how the weeding project was organized and its various phases.FindingsArgues that weeding is appropriate in small, academic non‐research libraries and discusses a methodology for approaching it.Originality/valueProvides the academic librarian with a road map as to how to handle a weeding project.

PurposeTo discuss the challenges of developing a branch library of Texas A&M University Libraries to serve the faculty and students in a new degree‐granting program as part of Education City in Qatar. The goal of the program is to provide students in Qatar an authentic “Aggie” education and experience.Design/methodology/approachDiscusses the development of this new branch library to support undergraduate degrees in electrical, mechanical, chemical and petroleum engineering.FindingsLibrary service in support of these degrees was developed so that duplication of resources and size of collections that had to be managed in Qatar were minimized. The TAMUQ library has successfully provided a full range of information services in support of this innovative collaboration between the university and the government of Qatar.Originality/valueThis paper provides a model for the development of a branch library using the resources of the main campus as much as possible.

PurposeBy reflecting the historical transition of the University of Southern California (USC) social work departmental library, the article aims to share challenges and solutions of the library collection and services in the electronic environment and to facilitate a discussion about the future of library services.Design/methodology/approachThe author conducted a literature review about departmental libraries, and a historical review of the USC social work library collection and services. Direct observation, surveys, reference statistics and the web visiting data were employed in the research analysis. A new vision and service model were created.FindingsThe USC social work students rely on both the print and electronic resources for their research and study. The decentralized social work library collection and the students' inadequate information literacy skills are the major challenges for the librarian. Information literacy instruction, web‐based collection management and library outreach are beneficial for the access service at the new information center.Research limitations/implicationsSome findings may not be compatible with other user groups in academic libraries. The established service model is applicable in other departmental libraries and information centers.Practical implicationsThe solutions employed by the USC social work librarian are applicable in other departmental academic libraries.Originality/valueThis paper combines research and library service practice at the information center.

PurposeTo identify the necessary components in the formulation of collection development policies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on both research about collection development policies and data compiled as a result of a survey of 16 centers of higher and technical education in Cuba.FindingsAlthough the directors of university libraries and managers of collection development were aware of the process of collection development, few have collection development policies, and few have carried out user studies.Originality/valueA model for a collection development policy for the system of university libraries is proposed.

The Business Library and The College of Business Administration at The Pennsylvania State University have formed a strategic partnership to analyze, evaluate, make selection decisions, and provide funding for electronic resources. This paper describes the background and rationale for the formation of this partnership and describes the issues and procedures that are followed to collaboratively build electronic collections to support business research. Benefits of this partnership include greater access to electronic resources for faculty throughout the University; an improved understanding of the breadth and needs of faculty research in business; and better knowledge of the resources that are used by various faculty, academic departments, and locations throughout the University. The partnership also provides a framework for incorporating electronic resources into the strategic planning process.

The tribal library is a community center that serves the unique information needs of a Native American community. A tribal library can be a kind of public library for the community, an education and literacy center, as well as an archive that records and preserves the heritage of a tribe. However, tribal libraries typically struggle with inadequate and unstable funding, and in California are often denied the benefits of resource‐sharing agreements within library networks. Tribal library collection development also presents special challenges in terms of identifying, locating and acquiring the materials most needed. This paper provides guidelines for selection of materials, suggestions for sources of Native American materials with an emphasis on California Indians, as well as selected titles for California tribal libraries.

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to inform the reader about the collection development principles, the use of technology, the history, and usefulness of ACLS Humanities E‐book.Design/methodology/approachThe approach adopted is a brief history, overview, and review of ACLS Humanities E‐book.FindingsACLS Humanities E‐book combines a carefully selected collection of academic monographs related to the humanities with a straightforward user‐interface.Originality/valueThe paper offers information about the collection, most important, its collection development model and the considerable value and utility of ACLS Humanities E‐book for researchers and libraries.