Development Strategies for Library Collections in a Digital Environment
2001; Volume: 14; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
1839-2466
Autores Tópico(s)Library Science and Information Literacy
ResumoCollection development strategies are often overlooked by library managers or are written as limited documents replete with statistics, rarely making reference to digital information. A collection development strategy can provide the librarian with a wealth of opportunities to address significant issues, particularly in the digital environment where questions of access and levels of service add significant complexity in the equitable provision of library services The purpose of any library is to provide a collection and service that is relevant to its community. As recently as twenty years ago this was a relatively simple proposition. User expectations, the range of resource formats, the instability of the information environment and the level of competition the library confronts have made the development of a relevant collection significantly more complex. In this challenging environment a strategic approach to collection development is essential in shaping the collection to community needs. A strategy offers other benefits to the library manager. This paper considers the forces now impacting on collection development, and demonstrates the wide range of benefits a collection development strategy offers. Specific issues associated with accessing digital services and collections are discussed with particular reference to their inclusion in a collection development strategy. The focus is on public libraries but many of the issues raised are universally relevant and apply to academic, special and school libraries. Environmental factors User service expectations Library users, in the main, now come to the library expecting to be provided with what they need, not simply to have access to materials. This is not to say that twenty years ago library staff would not have provided excellent reference service, but rather that the public would not have expected it. The benefit of having developed a collection that minimises user demand placed on staff through the ready availability of information is apparent. Technology has complicated this situation. Where previously people may have been excluded from the collection due to a disability, technology has developed ways to overcome this. This is a wonderful thing, but it does present challenges. A further and intriguing issue arising from technology is that of training. Libraries have provided access to books but, although supporting literacy programs, they have not actually taught people how to read. This is not the case with the latest technology. Not only are libraries expected to offer access to a wide range of formats and equipment, they are increasingly finding themselves in a situation where it is necessary to provide training. Expanded range of formats Much as the rapid expansion in internet usage has captured the attention of the library world, it is the array of formats that information is now packaged in which presents the library manager with a bigger collection development hurdle. Life began to get complicated twenty five years ago when the audiocassette appeared. Now, a library could reasonably be expected to hold cds, cdroms, books on cassette, books on cd, videos, Playstation games, tape and text combinations, not to mention online data. Within a couple of years dvds will also be a regular part of this grab bag. Of course, this is all in addition to the print formats of paperback, hardback, large print and magazine. Stability of the environment Not only do libraries have changing user needs and a wealth of formats to meet their needs. There is the added complexity of predicting through which formats future needs will be met. As an example, the rapid uptake in internet usage has seen a dramatic reduction in demand for information available on cdrom. The Great Lakes Library Service established a cdrom network only five years ago. This was successful but for a limited period. Now it has converted all pcs to internet access points and provide borrowing access, where permissible, to the cdroms. …
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