The term ‘collection development’ refers to the selection and acquisition of resources that make up the information assets in a library. These resources can be in any format and the entire library collection can be made up of a combination of physical, digital or online resources. In their collection development policy, the University of New South Wales defines a collection “as the material, regardless of format that is acquired by the … library.” (University of New South Wales, 2017)
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, ‘collection management’ usually refers to the broader process of managing acquisition, policy development and deselection of library assets. In order to establish a collection that will meet the unique needs of the learning community, libraries need clear policies and guidelines so “individual libraries develop collections principally within the subject scope of their specific disciplines.” (The University of Melbourne, n.d.)
The ‘Manual for Developing Policies and Procedures in Australian Schools Library Resource Centres’, regards a collection development policy as essential because it “explains why the collection exists [and] it is a public document which contains the vision and values of the school library.” (Australian Library and Information Association and Victorian Catholic Teacher Librarians, 2017, p.8)
Within the context of a school library, a collection should be appropriate for the learning needs and maturity of its students. It should be developed with social and cultural considerations in mind and reflect the values of the school community in which it exists. A collaborative approach to collection development, where the preferences of the teachers are considered and approval from the principal is sought ensures the schools priority areas are being addressed. According to Libraries Tasmania, library guidelines should be developed in schools which link with policies and procedures. When writing a collection development policy, “the policy should include:
- Budget allocation
- Collection evaluation
- Selection criteria
- Challenged materials
- Donations and gifts
- Deselection criteria and weeding
- Disposal of weeded material
- Stocktaking” (Libraries Tasmania, n.d.)
Reference List
Australian Library and Information Association and Victorian Catholic Teacher Librarians. (2017). Manual for Developing Policies and Procedures in Australian School Library Resource Centres.
https://www.alia.org.au/alia-publications-support-school-libraries
Libraries Tasmania. (n.d.). Managing Procedures- Collection Development Policy.
https://libraries.tas.gov.au/school-library/Pages/managing-procedures.aspx#Collection_Development_Policy
The University of Melbourne. (n.d.). Collection Development Process. https://library.unimelb.edu.au/collections/about-the-collections/collection-development-and-review/collection_development_process
University of New South Wales. (2017, March). Collection Development Policy.
https://www.library.unsw.edu.au/about-unsw-library/policies-and-guidelines/collection-development-policy
