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Academic libraries acquire and steward numeric datasets as well as large collections of image files, audio archives, digital texts, and other non-numeric resources. This article considers how a sample of libraries in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom present these collections and make them available for discovery. And, importantly, the article examines whether these non-numeric collections are positioned on the library Website as research datasets, rather than as artifacts of limited local and/or historical interest. Findings from this analysis may help collection managers and Web designers as libraries define their role in connecting users to research data. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Over the years, libraries have taken numerous approaches to assess their serial subscriptions. When the Texas A&M University Libraries made the strategic decision to introduce a sustainable, iterative approach to reviewing serials they employed a new tool to the task, 1Science's 1Figr product, which includes reports that combine traditionally used usage and citation analysis data together with new open access metrics. This case study examines the reports and how they were employed in the review to help the Libraries' make substantive collection decisions. This article should help libraries get a better understanding of what 1Figr is and how it can be used so that libraries can make an informed decision as to whether the product would be a worthwhile investment for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a case study from the University of New Mexico which describes the gifts policy, procedures, and workflow. It describes the procedures that were developed for adding gift books to the collection and the ways in which University of New Mexico has been able to use these same procedures to streamline inventory projects of material shelved in the stacks but not findable in the library catalog. By clearly outlining collecting parameters and drawing on the expertise of subject librarians and technical services staff, the University of New Mexico has successfully simplified the workflow for managing all new gift materials to the collection and evaluating existing titles for potential withdrawal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The issue in academic libraries of format duplication for the same title in print, microfilm, and electronic formats continues to strain library budgets, facilities, and staff. This article reviews the criteria used by a medium-sized academic library for deciding what formats of the New York Times to continue to collect and maintain. A research study was conducted to ascertain the completeness of coverage in both the online and microfilm formats of this title, with the results used as additional decision criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to discover university librarians' perceptions regarding importance of various elements of CM, and self- assessment about the status of CM in university libraries of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach -- To achieve the objectives of the study, the survey method was used with self-completion questionnaires to collect data from throughout Pakistan. The questionnaire was sent to central libraries of 40 major accredited universities of Pakistan and 30 responses were obtained. Findings -- It was found that the university librarians are still not fully conversant with the changing scenario of CM in both theoretical and practical terms. It also appeared that the university librarians were not satisfied with the overall status of managing a collection in the majority of cases. Originality/value -- The paper is the first study on the overall status of collection management in Pakistan. It will invoke among professionals the need to learn and apply modern practices of collection management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore some major challenges in the area of collection management faced by university libraries in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach - The methodology includes a literature review and a survey of university libraries in Pakistan in 2004. Findings - The challenges regarding collection management in university libraries in Pakistan are: handling the hybrid character of collections, service to users, training of collection management staff, collection evaluation, resource sharing and preservation. Originality/value This paper provides an example of the challenges of university libraries in a developing country which must plan and develop a customized paradigm of library service which combines the traditional and modern services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]