Collection Management in Academic Libraries

Book excerpt: Economic constraints, curriculum changes, growing student numbers and the information explosion resulting from technological developments have put a higher priority on the successful management of increasingly diverse library collections. This new edition of Collection Management in Academic Libraries, written by senior university librarians and expert commentators from both the UK and North America, provides an enlightening overview of collection management policy and practice in academic libraries today.Though recognizing the continuing importance of traditional printed holdings, the book highlights the central role now played in academic libraries by electronic information. It explores possible scenarios for the future and discusses the management of access to remote sources of information, and issues relating to infrastructure support. New chapters are included on the management of electronic information, learning support, document delivery strategies, preservation and disaster planning, and collection management for the twenty-first century. The chapters on organization of collection management, finance and budgeting, performance measurement, serials management, stock retention and relegation have been revised in the light of recent changes in collection priorities and user demand.Collection Management in Academic Libraries is chiefly aimed at library managers and students of library and information science. Those responsible for acquisitions, reader services and serials management will also find that lessons from the experience and research described in the book will help to equip them better for the challenges in their own institutions.