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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 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 discover the criteria upon which selection decisions are made in six mobile libraries in New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach - In this qualitative study data were gathered from interviews with six mobile librarians. The study is guided conceptually by the perceived need for a collection development policy and a selection procedures statement to guide selection, and the needs versus wants debate. Findings - The data suggest that there is no universal approach to the selection of material for mobile library collections; mobile librarians achieve a balance between users' needs and wants to some extent when selecting; and there is no relationship between the nature of mobile library services and the serving of needs and wants. The researchers contend that mobile librarians' selection decisions are influenced by various criteria other than users' needs or users' wants. Research limitations/implications - This qualitative research is based on the analysis of the selection practices of six mobile librarians in New Zealand. Future research might seek to replicate this study's methodology using a larger population or investigate the lack of emphasis on reference services on some mobile libraries or the management of fixed, floating, and integrated mobile library collections. Originality/value - Only a slight amount of literature exists about the selection of mobile library collections. This study will be of interest to mobile librarians in New Zealand and elsewhere who wish to obtain a better understanding of current selection practices. It will also act as guiding literature to help mobile librarians to make better informed election decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to introduce librarians, faculty, and other interested individuals to contemporary German literature in English translation. Design/methodology/approach - German-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. Findings - Of 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/value - This bio-bibliography of contemporary German belles letters (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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The purpose of this article is to provide tips for electronic collection development for libraries with a meager budget. Design/methodology/approach — The information provided in this article is based on research on electronic collection development practices and the author's experience with electronic resources at small and large university libraries. Findings — There are many useful electronic resources available for free because of the open access movement. Old ideas such as consortia and negotiating still help to keep costs at a manageable level for libraries. Practical implications — Libraries will be able to maintain or reduce the costs they are spending on electronic resources, but still retain sources that fulfill their collection needs. Originality/value — This paper combines new and old ideas and resources for electronic collection development into a short and easy-to-follow source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The purpose of this paper is to take stock of the current state of information resources and approaches used to meet collection development needs at the University of Zambia Medical Library. Design/methodology/approach — A case study methodological approach accompanied by a review of the literature, annual reports and official documents was used Findings — The findings indicate that the UNZA Medical Library has not had adequate funding since the early 1980s and its collection cannot meet the information needs of its users without the support of other organizations. Practical implications — Dwindling financial resources are a scenario that is common to libraries all over the world but more pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa, where libraries have seen major reductions in their funding levels over time. The library has devised alternative strategies, other than funding from the parent institution, for meeting its collection development requirements. Originality/value — Lessons learned over time and best practices that can be of use to other libraries that are facing funding problems are highlighted. [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 discuss a project to enhance Texas A&M University at Qatar Library's (TAMUQL's) engineering curriculum, graduate, and research programs with newly acquired monographs and maps. Design/methodology/approach - The project was carried out with the partnership and cooperation of TAMUQL, YBP Library Services and TAMUL. Findings - The project succeeded in meeting the objectives of the project, which included supporting the needs of freshmen to senior levels of the liberal arts curriculum as well as those of the faculty. Originality/value - This paper adds to the growing documentation of the value of working partnerships between libraries and vendors. [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 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/approach -- To 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. Findings -- Of 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 implications -- Subscription 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/value -- The 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. [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 - Provides 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/approach - A 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. Findings - Presents 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 implications - Offers 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/value - This 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - To launch the University of Chicago Library's study break program for undergraduate students which introduces them to rare book and manuscript collections. Design/methodology/approach - Two study breaks, Love in the Stacks and Things that Go Bump in the Stacks' are described in detail, including selecting material for viewing, marketing the event and basic logistics. In addition the authors discuss the educational materials they created for distribution at the event, attendance, the feedback and comments they received and finally what they learned. Findings - Provides information about the events, and looks towards future events. Discusses how book and manuscript collections can be intimidating to undergraduate students, who often believe the materials are for the use of faculty or other "serious" scholars. Originality/value - This paper describes an innovative program that has successfully introduced undergraduate students to Special Collections, and provides information which would allow others to offer a similar program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — By 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/approach — The 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. Findings — The 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/implications — Some 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 implications — The solutions employed by the USC social work librarian are applicable in other departmental academic libraries. Originality/value — This paper combines research and library service practice at the information center. [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 - Service learning has become an important teaching methodology in many American schools, colleges, and universities. Libraries will thus want to add resources to their collections in this subject area to support faculty and student research. This article aims to briefly define the concept of service learning and to describe selected resources in the area. Design/methodology/approach - The annotated bibliography is divided into three sections: organizations and their web sites, Periodicals, and Books. Findings - Service learning, once an experimental teaching and learning approach, has become well established as a pedagogy. In designing a successful service learning experience, teachers and faculty must identify real community needs, must structure the experience in such a way that students can grow and learn from it and, on completion of the experience, must assess its outcomes. Originality/value - This paper synthesizes the literature on service learning and provides a guide for librarians who want to add materials in this area to their collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This article proposes describing the restructuring of collection development at the University of California Riverside University Libraries. Design/methodology/approach - This paper is based on the library's experience in changing to fund accounting. Findings - The author describes the new system that has created more accountability for the materials budget. Practical implications - As a result of the new system, faculty members are more aware of the budgeted amount for monographic purchases in their own area and whom they can contact with concerns or purchasing requests. Originality/value - This article provides a model for restructuring collection development that other libraries can adapt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - To identify the necessary components in the formulation of collection development policies. Design/methodology/approach - The 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. Findings - Although 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/value - A model for a collection development policy for the system of university libraries is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The 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 F-book. Design/methodology/approach - The approach adopted is a brief history, overview, and review of ACLS Humanities F-book. Findings - ACLS Humanities F-book combines a carefully selected collection of academic monographs related to the humanities with a straightforward user-interface. Originality/value - The 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. [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 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 report on the highlights of the 2006 Charleston Conference. Design/methodology/approach - Documentation of the presentations given at the conference. Findings - The Charleston Conference report discusses new directions in many areas of collection development, including trends in e-books, new developments in e-resources, preservation of e-resources, and scholarly communication. Practical implications - The report discusses new ideas and new directions in many areas of collection development that alert librarians to changes on the horizon. Originality/value - This report is of interest to library and information management professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]