The Rise of Digital Collections: Transforming Collection Development Policies
Technology has had a significant impact on schools and the teaching profession, so it’s no surprise that the world of libraries and information centers has undergone a significant transformation. I have had the advantage and challenge of working in a school that adopted a BYOD policy more than a decade ago, and has made a significant investment in integrating technological resources and access in the classroom. As a result, this has extended to the school library, which has steadily increased the acquisition and promotion of digital resources within the collection.
The way we consume information has changed dramatically. Digital collections, comprising e-books, online journals, multimedia resources, and digitised archives, have become increasingly popular among users due to their convenience and accessibility. Libraries have recognised this digital shift, integrating digital collections into their collection development strategies. Thus, guides for the creation of collection development policies have also transformed to incorporate contemporary collection formats, such as digital collections (Levenson, 2019).
One key benefit of digital collections I have noticed is the development of digital literacy skills among my students. As noted by Newsum (2016), the role of the TL has changed to include “the development of transliteracies considered essential 21st century skills”. This has certainly been the case in my school, where our TL has worked tirelessly to support teachers in building the capacity of students to negotiate new digital platforms and tools. This has involved presenting lessons to classes on how to access the digital resources housed in the collection and how to ethically use these resources. As students (and their teachers) have become increasingly adept in the use of digital resources, they have become a more prominent and popular addition to the collection. In order to acquire and maintain these resources, they need to be incorporated into the collection development policy, as “managing print and detail resources entail similar tasks and procedures” (Newsum, 2016).
However, while digital collections bring numerous benefits, they also present challenges that must be addressed. Issues such as copyright restrictions, licensing agreements, data security, and long-term preservation require careful attention in collection development policies. Libraries must navigate these complexities to ensure the sustainability and accessibility of their digital collections. Moore (2015, p.133) has outlined a number of key questions that should be considered when writing a collection development policy that includes digital resources, regarding selection responsibility and criteria, funding and purchasing models, and whether there should be distinct policies for print and digital collections.
It is clear that digital collections have emerged as an indispensable component of collection development policies in libraries. By embracing the digital shift, libraries are expanding access and developing digital literacy skills. However, the integration of digital collections also brings forth new challenges that require careful consideration and strategic planning. By navigating these complexities, libraries can continue to evolve and thrive in the digital age, ensuring the availability and accessibility of knowledge for generations to come.
References
Levenson, H. N. (2019). Nimble Collection Development Policies: An Achievable Goal. Library Resources & Technical Services. Oct 2019, Vol. 63 Issue 4, p206-219. 14p. DOI: 10.5860/lrts.63n4.206.
Moore, K. B. (2015). Are We There Yet? Moving to an E-Only Collection Development Policy for Books. The Serials Librarian. 68:1-4, 127-136, DOI: 10.1080/0361526X.2015.1016836
Newsum, J. M. (2016). School Collection Development and Resource Management in Digitally Rich Environments. School Libraries Worldwide. Jan 2016, Vol. 22 Issue 1, p97-109. DOI:10.14265.22.1.008.