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

Purpose – The 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/approach – This 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. Findings – The 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/value – With 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the materials used in Masters' theses of the Agricultural Economics and Extension Department (AEE), FUTA during the period of 2005-2009 with the aim of improving the existing collection development available for the students. Design/methodology/approach – The study employed descriptive research design. Theses submitted for the award of M.Tech degree between 2005 and 2009 at the department of AEE, FUTA were examined. This was checked against the record of AEE (M.Tech) graduands obtained from the School of Postgraduate Studies. The population of the study was all the theses submitted during the periods under study. Data were extracted from title pages and reference lists. Extracted data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings – It was found that journals were more consulted compared to other sources of information materials. AEE M.Tech students do not take much advantage of resources available on the web and internet. It was also revealed that highest citation was recorded in 2006, while 30.52 per cent of materials cited were 20 years old and above. In addition, more than half of the cited materials were contributed by single authors and foreign journals were more cited with 72 per cent than local journals with 28 per cent. Moreover, Journal of Agriculture Economics was found to be the most cited journal followed by Journal of Econometrics. Originality/value – The paper highlights the information materials available and used by Master students of the Agricultural Economics and Extension Department for their research work and those which need to be added for a healthy collection. [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 - 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 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 — This paper aims to examine the trend of resource development at the University of Calabar Library, using gift items received from 2005 to 2009. Design/methodology/approach — The study adopts a descriptive research design based on survey. Relevant documents, including gift and donation files, acquisition records and library accession registers, were examined and analysed to provide answers to questions relating to study objectives. Findings — The usefulness of gifts to university library resource development is underscored by the quality and currency of the 2,462 volumes of materials received during the study period. Furthermore, the impact that collaborative donor efforts could make towards supporting university library resource development in the information age is highlighted. Associated problems included deficiency in subject coverage, foreign language materials, irregular giving patterns as well as an increasing tendency towards electronic resources acquisition where manual procedures are available. Practical implications — Acquisition librarians should intensify efforts at soliciting for and directing corporate giving endeavours towards providing for infrastructural support required for university library development in Nigeria. The deficiency in subject coverage highlighted in the study can be addressed if donor agencies are encouraged to adopt relevant library profiles or assign grants to core areas of university academic programs. There is also need for the inclusion or revision of gift statements in collection development policies. Originality/value — The paper highlights strategies for tackling the challenges of resource acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - 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]

Abstract Purpose -- The 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/approach -- The 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 PsyclNFO and Education Abstracts. It recorded reviewer recommendation, publication date, publisher, source of review, and list price. Findings --The 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 implications - The 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/value -- Previous 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — To trace patterns of collection development expenditures between 1994 and 2004 among Association of Research Libraries' (ARL) largest and smallest public and private academic libraries, to identify the impact of serial inflation, the emergence of electronic resources and changes in the monographic market upon the buying patterns of the largest and smallest academic libraries, public and private, in the USA and Canada. Design/methodology/approach — Analysis of the annual ARL statistics for collection development expenditures between 1994 and 2004, focusing upon the ten largest public, ten largest private, ten smallest public and ten smallest private academic ARL libraries. Findings — Libraries have largely responded to the revolutionary changes of the last decade very conservatively, retaining their commitment to monographic acquisitions and to their paper collections even as they have built new, electronic libraries. Research limitations/implications — ARL statistics present a complex picture, and libraries are not consistent in the manner in which they report their activities. The methodology does not seek a statistically precise model but seeks only to lay out a useful snapshot of library collecting patterns over the last ten years. Practical implications — Academic libraries have not yet fully confronted the issues raised by changes in scholarly communication over the last decade and still have many difficult decisions ahead of the, as patterns of the last ten years may be difficult or inappropriate to sustain. Originality/value — Provides a picture of collection development patterns of the largest and smallest ARL academic libraries that complements ARL's own analysis, which is based on median values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose ? The purpose of this paper is to ensure the provision of effective library support to the scholarly community in areas of collection development and management. Last year, the author?s library made the first attempt to conduct a collection evaluation on a multidisciplinary subject ? social work. Design/methodology/approach ? In view of extensive subject coverage of a cross-disciplinary subject and the library?s constraints, a cost-effective and manageable strategy using internal resources was used. The focus of the study was to concentrate on core subject areas of social work. By making use of circulation statistics of those areas, adequacy, strengths and weaknesses of the collection would be identified. Findings ? A positive adequacy of the social work collection was evidenced from a high usage of the collection. An in-depth study on the two major active sections, DDC 361 (social problems and services) and DDC 362 (social work for different groups of people), was also undertaken. Specific subject areas for improvement were identified. Originality/value ? Through conducting the project, it not only directly served the main purpose of enhancing the quality of the collection in alliance with the development of academic departments, but also expanded our subject knowledge. It is hoped that our experience can offer tips and stimulant for other libraries contemplating collection analysis on a multidisciplinary subject under restricted resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to explore how the publishing world is responding to library collection development challenges posed by the growth of interdisciplinary studies programs. Design/methodology/approach – The first step in this study was a survey of the websites of selected ARL and all Oberlin Group university and college websites to determine those institutions that have a clearly identified Interdisciplinary program or majors. The authors then investigated the status of interdisciplinary collection development practices at these institutions. Finally the websites of reviewers, publishers, and vendors were surveyed to explore what tools are available to help librarians identify new interdisciplinary monographs. Findings – Rather than supplying formal interdisciplinary collection development support, most librarians rely on external resources to help identify interdisciplinary materials. As technology evolves publisher/vendor websites can provide librarians with the tools needed to conduct in-depth searches of their catalogs, thus aiding in the identification of interdisciplinary monographs for purchase. Originality/value – Building on previous scholarship about the growth of interdisciplinary studies and libraries, this paper extends the research by examining the tools available to help librarians bridge the gap created by new disciplinary formations and offers suggestions for publishers to enhance interdisciplinary selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper seeks to provide evidence that patron-driven acquisition is a successful collection development tool. Design/methodology/approach – The study used cost, usage, and cost per use as measurements to compare patron-driven acquired print and electronic books with traditionally acquired print and electronic books to determine the success of five different patron-driven methods. Findings – The study found that usage is much higher and the cost and cost per use is lower for patron-driven acquisition methods than for traditional collection development methods. Originality/value – Collection development and acquisitions librarians can benefit from this research comparing traditional collection development methods with multiple patron-driven acquisitions methods to better manage their resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to devise methodologies and attain results that would allow the author to evaluate local collections that support public health users. Design/methodology/approach – The largest available source of data was local Masters' student theses. The methodology is a case study employing citation analysis of Masters' theses. Findings – The study provided a list of the journals most used by Masters' students in their theses to be compared to currently subscribed titles to evaluate local holdings. It confirmed that ISI journal rankings were not a useful tool for local collection building. Originality/value – The study provides a methodology for evaluating and improving the local journal collection and could be combined with further studies to create a core list of public health journals locally. It also provides guidance on types of resources to buy and confirmed the importance of journals to the collection. The study could be combined with similar studies at other institutions to create a broad-based core journal list. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this article is to help librarians interested in developing a basic understanding of Sub-Saharan African cinema and increase awareness of the resources available when building a collection of sub-Saharan African films for their library. A general review is provided to help become familiar with the history and nature of the four regions discussed. Design/methodology/approach - A collection development project to expand a mid-sized university's collection of sub-Saharan African films is discussed. Includes brief historical information and core titles, selected for their historical role and/or ease of purchase. Findings - A list of core films is recommended for academic and public libraries representing four geographic regions of sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria, South Africa, West Africa, and East Africa. Research limitations/implications - Unfortunately, many of the titles referenced in academic literature and winners of African film awards are not available for purchase outside of Africa, making it impossible to accomplish our goal of collecting a core list as intended. Practical implications - The paper increases awareness of African cinema and value inclusion in library collections. Originality/value - While there are general articles on the topic of African cinema, there are no recent articles on the topic of collecting African films for libraries. [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 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 — 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 - In order to better understand how collections are used, this study aims to present a large-scale analysis of usage patterns for non-core monographs in the collections of fourteen general academic libraries of varying sizes. Design/methodology/approach - Using Spectra Dimension, a collection analysis tool, this study compares use data from multiple academic libraries. Findings - It appears that general academic libraries are overinvesting in legal materials and perhaps underinvesting in medical materials. Research limitations/implications - This study suggests that analysis of use data from multiple libraries may help individual libraries better understand their own collecting needs. Local issues may, however, override the broad patterns identified here. Practical implications - In lean budgetary times, understanding collection use is key to making informed decisions about resource allocation for collection development. Libraries may be able to use these data to better manage their own materials budgets and collecting practices. Originality/value - Though there have been a number of large-scale analyses of collections, most have relied on sampling or have compared small portions of collections, and few have compared use across libraries. This study analyzes collection use across many institutions at a level of detail not possible before the introduction of multi-library collection analysis tools. [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 - 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]