Case Studies in Collection Development: Setting An Agenda for Future Research

Abstract

Open‐ended interviews with bibliographers and the Assistant Director of Collection Development at the University of Miami (Florida) Richter Library reveal personal attributes and philosophies that may affect collection development decision making. These attributes may include one or more of the following: 1) subject expertise gained through a master's degree or prior work experience; 2) a strong commitment to serving the teaching and research needs of the faculty; 3) active participation in professional associations in the field for which the librarian selects materials; 4) frequent contact with the faculty and departmental book selectors; and 5) participation in research in the specialty area, e.g., publication of articles in scholarly journals or presentation of papers at meetings. This study suggests the need for more empirical data based on a large, representative sample.

Citation

Gonzalez‐Kirby, D. (1991), "Case Studies in Collection Development: Setting An Agenda for Future Research", Collection Building, Vol. 11 No. 2, pp. 2-9. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb023298