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Every library collection should be established for a definite purpose. In an academic library setting, the collection may be developed primarily for research and instructional support. In recent years traditional formats for information, such as books and microfilm, have increasingly been supplemented by information which is accessible electronically through the use of computer technology. This means then that the existing collection development policy for an academic library must include selection criteria and collection parameters covering these new media formats. This paper examines some of the concepts and problems which an academic library must consider in order to align its collection development activities with the changing environment of digital librarianship in the twenty‐first century.

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/01435129710183735. When citing the article, please cite: Kebede Gessesse, (1997), “Internet accessed CAS at the Rodgers Library: a pilot programme”, Library Management, Vol. 18 Iss: 8, pp. 380 - 386.

Stresses the importance of sharing agricultural information, particularly in the Third World. Indicates present agencies promoting co‐operation in Africa, and presents prospects for developing a more systematic and comprehensive system of documentary co‐operation for agricultural information.

Argues that the rapid developments in computer technology as well as economic changes have made it clear that the conventional role of librarians as information intermediaries must undergo an inevitable change. Stresses that the imminent arrival of virtual reality, i.e. the receiving of images enabling direct interaction with the information, will force librarians to re‐educate themselves to meet this digital challenge if they are ready to avoid being displaced by a variety of contenders in the information business. Attempts to give an overview of the impact the technological changes have on academic library functions and services in particular.

The provision of current awareness to a community of customers is generally accepted as highly desirable. The service becomes even more valuable when it includes journals held within the customers’ own library. Describes a pilot programme conducted at the Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering at the University of Alabama, September 1995 to May 1996. An electronically‐accessed table of contents service was distributed to a group of faculty members in the Department of Chemistry. ContentsFirst database from OCLC was electronically accessed and delivered directly to the E‐mail address of target users. The objective was to examine how useful an electronic‐based current awareness service would be to faculty users and how the service might enhance the library’s overall role in facilitating the communication of information among researchers. The survey evaluation conducted at the end indicated that provision of table of contents electronically was a highly valuable library service.