Factors influencing collection development process at the University of Nairobi Library

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the collection development process at the University of Nairobi library and suggest ways for improvement.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was employed to collect, analyze and interpret data from collection development librarians at the University of Nairobi purposively selected. Data were collected through structured interviews and documentary review. Data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics.FindingsThe study established that the library has a written collection development policy which was revised in 2014 and is strictly adhered to. However, the policy has a gap on the role of faculty as stakeholders in the selection process. In addition, the criteria for selection are not explicitly stated. Findings also indicate that budget allocation, collection development policy, user demands, quality of staff, library consortium and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act of 2015 influence the collection development process at the University of Nairobi Library.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted in one public university library in Kenya. However, the findings may be applicable in similar university libraries in the country.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study may benefit students and faculty in the University of Nairobi from improved collection development process that would ensure that their information needs are met in a timely manner. This would lead to improved research output by students and faculty and ultimately improved research output by the university. University library management may also benefit in improving the collection development process, thereby making it more economical. The findings may also be useful in decision-making and policy development on matters pertaining to collection development at the University of Nairobi and other universities. Furthermore, the findings may be used by researchers to provide context and background information for future research on collection development in public universities locally and regionally.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills the need to make the collection development process in university libraries more efficient by proposing ways of addressing the challenges experienced.

Faculty–librarian cooperation in collection development at the University of Namibia library, with special reference to electronic resources

“…Moreover, it is recommended that the library involve academics in the selection of library materials, that communication between lecturers and librarians improve and that collection development awareness initiatives be undertaken. This recommendation corresponds with Kamau and Elegwa's (2021) assertion that faculty members of various schools and colleges should be compelled by the respective deans of schools and heads of department to participate in the selection of library materials, which should form part of the criteria according to which their performance is evaluated. It is also recommended that the university's collection development policy clearly state who the stakeholders are in the selection of library materials.…”

“…Furthermore, librarians are not always available to assist faculty members. Kamau and Elegwa (2021) found in their study that a lack of adequate publisher catalogues to aid in the selection of materials affected the process of collection development; faculty members were hesitant to select library resources; and the process of communicating selected items to the library staff was prolonged. Other challenges they identified were internet access that was insufficient for conducting online searches and discovering resources as well as a lack of skills in using electronic tools to select e-resources.…”

The Experience of Implementing a Digital Library in the Educational and Research Activities of the National Defense University of Ukraine Named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi

“…Analysis of scientific sources regarding various aspects of the creation and use of digital libraries in higher education institutions shows that research is conducted by both foreign and national scientists: T. Aalberg, F. Duchateau, M. Hall, T. Merccun and T. Risse [1]; R. Barbalace, T. Maharjan and M. Lotts [4]; A. Franca [6]; V. Gupta and L. Rubalcaba [8]; G. Kamau and A. Elegwa [9]; N. Li [12]; K. Owolabi, N. Okorie, O. Yemi-Peters, S. Oyetola, T. Bello and B. Oladokun [15]; M. Rafi, Z. Jian Ming and K. Ahmad [16]; C. Riehman-Murphy, A. Holloway and M. Mattson [17]; W. Shire and P. McKinney [18]; T. Singh and J. Singh [19].…”

Tahapan pengembangan koleksi di Perpustakaan Umum Daerah Kabupaten Sumenep pada masa pandemi

“…Berdasarkan jenisnya, pengadaan bahan pustaka dapat dilakukan melalui pembelian, sumbangan atau hadiah, pinjam-meminjam bahan pustaka, penitipan, dan penerbitan sendiri (Winoto et al, 2018). Kamau and Elegwa (2022) Tahap terakhir, yaitu evaluasi koleksi merupakan kegiatan yang berkaitan dengan peninjauan lembaga perpustakaan dari sisi ketersediaan koleksi dan pemanfaatan koleksinya oleh penggunanya (Winoto et al, 2018). Tujuannya agar perpustakaan mengetahui 1) mutu, kekuatan kelemahan dan lingkup koleksi yang dimiliki; 2) koleksi sesuai dengan tujuan perpustakaan yang dianut sehingga meningkatkan pelayanan; 3) melaksanakan dan penyesuaian kebijakan seleksi (Zulaichah, 2017).…”