Managing the CD-ROM Collection Development Process

Abstract

Few types of information sources have had as profound an effect on library services, policies, and procedures as have CD-ROM databases.While the simple fact of subscribing to a CD-ROM database service is very little different from subscribing to any other serialat least superficially-the actual implementation of CD-ROM services has a ripple effect that affects virtually every operational area of the library. Policies and procedures in almost every library department will need to be modified, codified, and in some cases invented. It is difficult to overestimate the impact that the implementation of such a service can have on libraries' budgets and on their personnel. This paper attempts to lay out some of the issues and alternatives associated with developing CD-ROM collections. Because of the widespread repercussions of developing such collections, the paper addresses a

Choosing Between Print and Electronic Resources

“…If they are not part of the local collection will the user be able to gain access to them through interlibrary loan or a document delivery service? Consideration must be given as to how to provide material with a minimum of frustration for the user (Gupta 1993 andMartin andRose 1996).…”

“…Some libraries have increased the number of staff at the reference desk to assist users with one-on-one searching as well as to answer questions on using equipment. In larger libraries offering many different databases, some with complex access, it is necessary to determine which staff members will be responsible for understanding the depth and breadth of the electronic collection and subsequently to develop a plan for staff training (Martin and Rose 1996).…”

“…It is a difficult and time-consuming task to develop special workshops or seminars and to produce user guides and handouts. It can also be a major expense for a library because for this type of instruction to be most effective a library should have an electronic classroom (Martin and Rose 1996).…”

The collection development literature of 1996: a bibliographic essay

“…Dalehite (1996) analyzed the problems and issues involved in developing a shared electronic collection for the Florida State University system. Collection management of CD-ROMs, including budgeting, selection, evaluation, and licensing, was addressed by Martin and Rose (1996), while Graf (1996) outlined CD-ROM selection criteria for school libraries. Budgeting strategies for electronic resources at the University of Washington library in St Louis were described by Johnston and Witte (1996).…”