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Purpose – To argue that theoretical models from non-LIS disciplines can be of practical benefit to practitioner LIS research. In the area of digitisation collection development policy, such models highlight the importance of digital library preservation issues. Design/methodology/approach – An application of formal models from cultural theories derived from structuralism and semiotics to LIS problems. Findings – Theoretical models from non-LIS disciplines help illustrate and understand problems such as developing information literacy in the digital library environment or creating a balance between the need to develop new digital collections and the preservation of the digital collections which have already been created. Research limitations/implications – This is a theoretical argument that could be tested by practical case study investigation. Practical implications – The paper suggests that resourcing should be applied to digital preservation activity rather than a fresh round of digitisation of print originals, the preservation implications of which are uncertain. Originality/value – This paper gives some original perspectives on practical LIS challenges by applying abstract ideas from the area of cultural theory and applied linguistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to attempt to explore the basics of the collection of medieval manuscripts by institutions by outlining some of the basic principles, challenges, and innovations in the realm of medieval manuscript collection. Design/methodology/approach - Medieval manuscripts involve both curation and librarianship in every step of collection management. Few fields of librarianship involve such fragmented history. This paper explores this fragmentation and demonstrates the intricacies and diversity involved in the collection process. Finally, it examines some collaborative options for institutions to effectively collect together. Findings - Institutions can effectively collaborate in medieval manuscript acquisition. Practical implications - Institutions may be able to institute similar programs as those used in the case studies. Originality/value - It is more important than ever to maintain quality collections on smaller budgets. These findings can assist institutions in acquiring high quality pieces without premium funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this essay is to provide suggestions for raising money for collections. Design/methodology/approach - The paper discusses and gives examples of strategies to raise awareness of giving opportunities to support library collections. Findings - This paper suggests that traditional fundraising for collections has become more difficult, and innovative appeals are required to attract donors. Originality/value - The value of this paper is in its presentation of examples and strategies for raising funds to support collection building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — This article sets out to describe the challenges and opportunities created by the presentation of a number of special collections to the library service of Waterford Institute of Technology. It aims to focus on the work done with the collections to date and plans for the future. Design/methodology/approach — This case study reports on the collections presented to WIT Library Service and the approach taken to their conservation and display. It also discusses the ongoing issues involved in special collections management in a modern academic library setting. Findings — The paper concludes that there is a delicate balancing act involved in accepting and managing special collections in contemporary academic libraries. Key factors to consider are expense, staff time and skills, and potential benefits to the library and its users. Research limitations/implications — The project is still in development. The study provides a view on one medium-sized academic library's experience of handling special collections. Practical implications — This account is likely to be useful for organisations in a similar position, faced with similar challenges of comparable scale. Originality/value — The paper offers practical insights for libraries in similar positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the benefits and challenges of creating a shared institutional repository and to, describe the process by which a consortium was able to establish such a service. Design/methodology/approach - A case study is presented outlining the process through which the Washington Research Library Consortium selected and implemented the DSpace institutional repository software in a shared information technology environment. The issues confronted in dealing with a multi-institutional implementation are examined through both a detailed description of the implementation and a generalized description of the challenges the consortium faced. Findings - The paper finds that while a shared implementation of an institutional repository does present significant challenges that would not be present for a single institution, the collaborative approach also presents significant benefits in drawing on the breadth of expertise available among the Consortium and utilizing a shared information technology infrastructure. Originality/value - Institutional repositories have generally been implemented within the context of a single institution. An alternative model is described that draws on the experience and expertise of multiple institutions to achieve a common goal. [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 -- 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 - 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 - 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]

Purpose — To contribute to and evoke ongoing reflections on librarians' professional identity, i.e. librarianship. Inherent hereto is a questioning of the feasibility of collections and collections control as basic constituents hereof. Instead, it is argued that an inquiry into proprieties of librarians' actual and potential tools allows for establishing firmer grounds for present and future librarianship. Design/methodology/approach — In a number of analytical steps, the concept of librarianship is deconstructed. Findings — Collections and collections control are shown to equal conceptual quicksand for librarianship at a time where access to information is largely outside librarians' control. Alternatively, an understanding of actual and potential librarians' tools may potentially provide firmer conceptual basis. Practical implications — It is suggested that librarians are to reflect critically on the appropriateness of actual and potential tools applied. Originality/value — Questions whether collections and collections control constitute a feasible primary constituent for librarianship. Suggests, instead, that firmer conceptual grounds for librarianship are to be established. [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]