Library collection development

Library Collection Development is the process of planning and acquiring a balanced collection of library materials of many formats, including books, periodicals, online resources, and other media.

Collections are developed by librarians and library staff by buying or otherwise acquiring materials over a period of time, based on assessment of the information needs of the library's users. In addition to ongoing materials acquisition, library collection development includes:

• the creation of policies to guide material selection
• replacement of worn or lost materials
• removal (weeding) of materials no longer needed in the collection
• planning for new collections or collection areas
• cooperative decision-making with other libraries or within library consortia

External links and references

• Diversity in Collection Development, American Library Association
• Collection Development and Policies, Library of Congress
• Definition of Collection Development, Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science (ODLIS)
• Library Collection Development in an Electronic Age, ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technologyel:Ανάπτυξη συλλογής