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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 - 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 - This paper seeks to discuss a grant-funded digitization project for unique Afghanistan gray literature. It aims to address the digitization tasks, workflow, challenges, and solutions. Persistent identifiers, file-naming conventions, page-naming rules, and a digitization management system are discussed in detail since they were critical to the success of the project. Design/methodology/approach - The paper describes the unique requirements of the project, and analyzes difficult issues related to the separation of pre-digitization and post-digitization in two remote locations. The approach includes persistent identifiers, file-naming rules, page-naming conventions and a digitization management system. After one and a half years of operation, the approach has been effective and efficient. Findings - The paper analyzes the unique challenges for a long-distance collaboration on digitization. Pre-digitization and digital imaging were carried out in Kabul, Afghanistan, with all the physical materials located there, while post-digitization and quality control were performed in Tucson, Arizona. The paper found that several components such as persistent identifiers, file-naming conventions, page-naming rules, and digitization management system were critical to the success of the project. Practical implications - The project demonstrates an approach to address a unique digitization project due to the separation of pre-digitization and post-digitization. In addition, the approach has served other digitization projects well. Originality/value - The paper was written for both project managers and technical staff. Project managers can find out the usefulness of a digitization management system and understand digitization issues; while technical staff can find interests in a persistent identifier scheme, file-naming conventions and page-naming rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper discusses the topic of Collection Development in a digital environment. Developing digital collections is a logical consequence of inserting information technologies in organizations. The usual route towards other models of libraries has allowed the development of the digital collections as a source of Digital Libraries. Design/methodology/approach - This paper is based on the development of a user-oriented concept of digital collections. Findings - The current information society requires Collection Development to guarantee suitable resources in information organizations. Originality/value - The authors provide a new way of looking at the development of digital collections. In this paper the authors propose a cycle to create a digital collection starting from the established precepts for traditional Collection Development. The creation process is supplemented with an analysis of the term Collection Development starting from the user's focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies and electronic collections on a limited budget and with limited personnel. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses real world experiences and data to report on collection development decisions as they relate to electronic journals in an era of shrinking budgets and changing user expectations. Findings – Efficient and ubiquitous access to information has altered user expectations and needs, which in turn have altered the methods and means by which libraries provide services to users. Yet many academic libraries continue to use outmoded models and suffer as a consequence. Originality/value – This paper examines the cost and usage of an individual journal title and the disparities between return on investment for the electronic and printed form of that journal. The author employs real-world cost and usage statistics to make a case for shifting the focus of collection development from print to electronic subscriptions even if the online access is more costly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how, in many cases, the conversion of analog collections to digital collections is still a paradigm shift with regard to the ownership, use and enjoyment of the collections. Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses how the inclusion of digital collections has led to a new licensing model that has changed the financial management and administration of budgets for the purchase of collections, starting with the acquisition of scientific journals for specialized centers and extending to all types of resource materials. Findings – In the traditional library collection management model, the documents deemed to be most suitable for the libraries were chosen title by title, and the amounts paid were based on the volume of titles chosen. In the analog model, this resulted in a large investment in similar collections in libraries located in close proximity to one another. In research centers and related universities, attempts were made to make coordinated purchases. However, in most cases purchases were made individually, meaning that costs, and specifically direct costs relating to usage, were very high for a usage of journals in the collection which in many cases was very sporadic. The introduction of purchasing consortia in the electronic environment has led to an increase in the collections of all entities, as well as the rationalization of spending on collections, which is more closely related to the needs of the entities' users. However, the use of such consortia should be more extended and rather than being limited to large libraries or institutions, they should be made available to medium-sized groups of entities which can benefit from these instruments. Originality/value – If the possibility of accessing resources were to be increased through these consortia, the author suggests that it would be of great interest to include diverse materials such as films and music, etc. that may be of interest to other type of institutions, such as those serving the general public. [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 — 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]