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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the literature about oriental manuscript collections in India and provide an overview of the area. Design/methodology/approach – A core set of literature on oriental manuscript collections in India was retrieved after doing a thorough literature search in different databases. Literature on various aspects of this topic was reviewed. The paper is organized based on various themes to make the study fruitful for various sections of society. Findings – Oriental manuscripts are present in different research libraries, university libraries and public libraries in India but university libraries are leading others in preserving these manuscripts, with few exceptions. Manuscripts are available in different oriental languages but mostly in Sanskrit. Every religious sect in India has contributed immensely in collecting and preserving these manuscripts. The contribution of famous kings of Indian history is also enormous in this regard. Research limitations/implications – The review does not claim to be exhaustive, as most sources might have been skipped during the study for their non-availability. Originality/value – This paper provides a concise overview of manuscripts present in different Indian libraries and research institution/universities and provides a valuable entry point to the field of Indian manuscripts for research scholars, information scientists and other interested parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Purpose — This 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 — 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 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]