Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:53:29 -0500
From: Michelle Ehlert <Michelle.Ehlert_at_metrostate.edu>
Subject: Collection Development in Academic Libraries
[Ed. note: Suggesting that this be cross-posted to COLLDEV-L)
Hello All,
Our academic library is undertaking an analysis of our collection
development program, and I’m hoping to find out how other
college/university libraries handle their collection development.
Just a little background: Right now, collection development
duties and money are divided between our librarian liaisons, and
the individual academic departments. Each librarian has a set
amount of money to use for collection development, to spend however
they see fit. Another portion of the collection development budget
is divided amongst the 25+ academic departments at the university,
allocated according to a formula devised by the library dean about
five years ago. Each year, it’s a struggle getting the departments
(and sometimes the librarians) to spend all their allocation; we’ve
even had faculty tell us that they don’t know what to buy, or how to
spend their department’s money. The serials and database budget is
separate from these collection development funds. We do not have a
collection development librarian.
So, how do other academic libraries manage collection development?
Do the liaisons take care of all of it? Do departments get money to spend?
If so, how much of the overall collection development funds are allocated to
departments? What kind of formula is used to divide the money? Does your
library have a collection development librarian? If so, what other
responsibilities does she/he have (besides collection development)?
What percentage of your library’s collection development funds are
spent on serials and databases, and how much is spent on books and AV?
Thank you for your time and help!
Michelle Ehlert, MLIS
Assistant Director of Technical Services
Library and Information Services
Metropolitan State University
645 East 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55106-5000
651.793.1623
651.793.1615 (fax)
michelle.ehlert_at_metrostate.edu
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Received on Thu Jan 03 2008 - 23:39:44 EST