Search

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 – 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 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 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 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]

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 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 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 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 — 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 - 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]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify the types of information useful for the business domain and resources for specific information types. Also, it aims to discuss a methodological approach for identifying core resources in a particular discipline. Design/methodology/approach - Content analysis of business materials identifies a set of business tasks and questions. Based on the results of content analysis, a survey simulating real reference situations is conducted with academic business reference librarians. Findings - The paper identifies the types of information most useful both for business as a whole and for the sub-fields (entrepreneurship, finance, management, and marketing). The resources suggested by participants are summarized for each type of information. Practical implications - The findings are helpful for academic business librarians for collection development as well as for database selection for a specific query. Originality/value - The suggested methodology for identifying core resources in a particular discipline has general applicability across other disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficacy of the brief test method and OCLC's WorldCat Collection Analysis (WCA) in analyzing strengths and weaknesses of collections in three academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach - Monographic collections in zoology were assessed in the study, using both the brief test method and WCA at three institutions. Findings - The paper finds that both the brief test and WCA provide valuable insight into collection strengths and weaknesses. Research limitations/implications - This is an analysis of only one subject area and one format. Further studies might focus on other disciplines and might take into account a variety of formats. Practical implications - The study suggests ways in which collection managers might gain a better knowledge of their collection for such purposes as cooperative collection development and preservation. Originality/value - Since WCA is a newly available tool, there are few studies using this methodology. This adds to the limited literature on the brief test methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — To 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/approach — The 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. Finding — The four research libraries acquire substantial numbers of African monographs in keeping with the importance of their African studies programs. Originality/value — The paper provides information on four major African studies programs and the library holdings that support them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper seeks to describe the Canadian Library Association's 2007 pre-conference, Collections 2007: Reinvigorating Collection Development and Management. Design/methodology/approach This 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. Findings - The paper finds that collections development activities in academic, public and special libraries are characterized by a diversity of approaches and methods. Originality/value - This paper provides a brief summary of some of the practical approaches to collections building in a variety of library and information center settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The 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/approach – In 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. Findings – The 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 implications – No 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/value – The 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This 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/approach - Sources of Jewish Studies literary awards were identified and a detailed analysis of awarded books' subjects and the publishing sources was conducted. Findings - The 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 implications - The "one stop" access to all award sources and awarded books provides an easy access to otherwise dispersed information. Originality/value - The 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This 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/approach — The 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. Findings — The 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/implications — Findings 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 implications — Similar research could be done on pedagogical forums in other academic fields. Originality/value — This paper examines a field's pedagogical methodology to draw conclusions about collections management for that field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this article is to describe the process of determining a fund allocation process that would further collection development goals by reflecting the university curriculum and support towards different programs. Design/methodology/approach -- The paper is based on a library's experience in using a Percentage Based Allocation formula. Findings -- The author describes the process and steps that led to the decision to use a Percentage Based Allocation formula, and the results of its implementation. Practical implications -- An allocation process that is tied into other collection development activities (a collection development policy; vendor slip plan profiles) strengthens the collecting goals of a library as a whole. Originality/value -- This article provides a model that other libraries can use as a template for developing their own budget allocation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present information on how to organize and carry out a weeding project in an academic library. Design/methodology/approach - Describes how the weeding project was organized and its various phases. Findings - Argues that weeding is appropriate in small, academic non-research libraries and discusses a methodology for approaching it. Originality/value - Provides the academic librarian with a road map as to how to handle a weeding project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — To 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 Quatar. The goal of the program is to provide students in Qatar an authentic "Aggie" education and experience. Design/methodology/approach — Discusses the development of this new branch library to support undergraduate degrees in electrical, mechanical, chemical and petroleum engineering. Findings — Library 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/value — This paper provides a model for the development of a branch library using the resources of the main campus as much as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This article aims to describe how circulation statistics may be used to evaluate collection development policies. Design/methodology/approach - The circulation statistics of books acquired by a science library in a specific year are analyzed by publisher, publication date, and subject. Findings - The paper finds that older books circulated more than recently published titles purchased at the same time. Circulation averages varied considerably between publishers. Research limitations/implications - Checkouts are an imprecise measure of value. Number of items not purchase costs is the denominator of all averages used; there is a data bias against inexpensive books. Originality/value - The procedure outlined can be used generally to evaluate collection development policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This article aims to illustrate a technique to map, evaluate and describe subject-based collections. The method was designed in collaboration among Finnish university libraries. The case study seeks to describe the application of this method in a multidisciplinary university library. Design/methodology/approach — This case study presents the collection mapping method and its application in Tampere University Library, and shows how to gather data on subject-based collections and their usage. Findings — The case study shows that the method can provide useful information on a library's subject-based collections. Using this information the library can describe and develop its collections and also present the results on the subject-based collections to the faculties concerned. Originality/value — The article describes Tampere University Library's application of the method which makes it possible to map, evaluate and describe the library's collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This article aims to discuss the relevance of building video game collections in academia to support research and learning on campus and to propose useful criteria for building video game collections in academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach - The authors examined collection development policies of selected academic libraries as well as research discussing the cultural, historical, and educational value of video games. The authors also examined video game playback devices, games and their packaging, and popular game web sites. Findings - The authors outline selection considerations for developing video game collections and propose the following criteria for selecting games: physical characteristics, teaching and learning principles present in the games, subject matter and content, and the cultural and historical value of a game. Originality/value - Establishing video games in libraries is not a new topic, but most discussions have been focused on public libraries or the entertainment value of video games in academic libraries. This article focuses on games as serious objects of study in academia and provides best practices for video games collections development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The intent of this article is to illustrate outcomes and results of a collection analysis done by a smaller academic library. Design/methodology/approach - The collection was evaluated using an online analysis tool combined with a physical inventory of the collection. Findings - Peer group comparisons revealed some of the problems with this particular collection were also widespread among the comparison libraries. The value of the e-book collection to patrons was clear: not only did e-books provide resources to remote students; they help compensate for shortfalls in the print collection. Practical implications - The catalog more accurately reflects what is on the shelf and also what is reported to OCLC. Access to the collection has been improved and enhanced. Steps were taken to refocus the library's collection development procedures and management. The changes made have led to increased faculty involvement in selection and a more balanced, more comprehensive collection management plan. Originality/value - For any library considering whether they can or should do an analysis, the article illustrates that the benefits are well worth the time and expense. The analysis had a positive impact on collection development and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this article is to describe the quantitative evaluation of an engineering monograph approval plan using circulation analysis. Design/methodology/approach - The circulation frequency of titles purchased under the approval plan was analyzed, and compared with the circulation frequency of all engineering books during the same time period, purchased both individually and through the plan. Findings - It was found that 23 percent of the approval plan books circulated, compared with 6 percent of engineering books as a whole. There was considerable variation in circulation frequency between engineering disciplines, but approval plan books circulated much more frequently in all subject areas. Research limitations/implications - This study assesses circulation only during the most recent complete year, which means that the approval plan books are all new books. However, more than half of the books in the engineering collection are less than ten years old. so age is unlikely to be the only reason for the much higher circulation of approval books. Practical implications - Since this evaluation concludes that the approval plan does have value for Rowan University's users, such a plan might be worth considering by other academic libraries looking for a better way to obtain new engineering monographs which serve user needs. Originality/value - While the circulation data described in this study reflect the unique needs of the Rowan University user community, they can serve as a useful benchmark for engineering librarians who want to assess the usage of their monograph collections. The study also has value for academic librarians who are evaluating an approval plan from YBP or another vendor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The intent of this article is to show the direct outcomes of an inventory project, which served as the catalyst for collection development improvements. Design/methodology/approach - An inventory project was undertaken with a major emphasis on the outcomes derived from the inventory. Findings - Several types of problems were discovered, such as missing items, incorrect information (call numbers, collection codes, item types, etc…), damaged materials, and weaknesses in the collection, which resulted in major improvements and changes in the development of the collection. Originality/value - The results of the inventory project improved the accessibility of the collection to patrons by correcting many inconsistencies involving the shelving of materials, online records, call numbers, collection codes, item types, and bar codes. The location of missing items as well as identified areas of strengths and weaknesses assisted with collection development activities, The results of the project also provided an opportunity to hire a consulting firm to further assess the collection, which led to additional funds for supporting the collection. The single major benefit of the inventory process was that it provided the catalyst for instigating major changes in the curriculum collection development of the Teaching Resources Center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This case study seeks to reflect upon the short history and rapid development of electronic journals (e-journals) at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). It describes the scope of the journal migration project and its impact on library operations. UAEU (with over 16,000 students) is the flagship university in the UAE, and much farther along in the transition to electronic-only access to journal literature than most libraries in the Arab world. Design/methodology/approach - The article begins with background information on UAE and its academic institutions, then discusses the development of e-journals at UAEU starting with the rationale and decision to cancel print journals and move to an all-e-journal collection. Findings - The author shows that e-journals have added enormous resources to the collection, improved service, enhanced access to journal literature, increased its usage, and decreased the demand for document delivery of single articles. The author also indicates the challenges of offering e-journals as "bundled" packages and UAEU's concern about the library's inability to remove irrelevant titles, control cost, and retain the freedom to make changes on its journal collection. Originality/value - Since there has been little or no discussion in the library literature on the impact that the increasing use of e-journals has on academic institutions in developing countries, this case study of the UAEU experience should be useful to others in the Gulf region and in other parts of developing countries, as well as the library community in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]