Acquisitions Go Global: An Introduction to Library Collection Management in the 21st Century

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that in order to remain a dynamic and important part of the university, academic librarians must embrace change and create digital libraries that offer innovative reference services and other cutting edge digital products such as podcasting and wikis.

Design/methodology/approach

An examination of current research in the field.

Findings

America Online Instant Messenger (AOL IM) has the potential to be used for reference chat, and more scholarship should be done in this area. Wikis and podcasting also have the potential to innovate service. Focused efforts through scholarship and implementation of new technological tools will ensure that librarians remain dynamic in the creation of digital libraries.

Originality/value

An in‐depth discussion of podcasting, wikis, and virtual reference in the context of the academic library.

Citation

James, S. (2007), "Acquisitions Go Global: An Introduction to Library Collection Management in the 21st Century", Library Review, Vol. 56 No. 9, pp. 829-830. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530710831293

“This book was written to share personal experiences about library acquisitions”. There you have it in a nutshell. The whole field is surveyed in concise and clear chapters, presenting not only the author's personal experiences and views, but also widening those into a more global survey of the various matters discussed. It is very practically based, but grounded in current theory, and covers the subject pretty comprehensively. First define “collection” of course: the author's perspective is primarily academic, and the effects of electronic services, e‐journals, e‐books and the rest, on building and maintaining collections are covered.

Jim Agee is Technical Services Manager for Acquisitions and serials at the University of Northern Colorado, with both practical and teaching experience of his subject. Having declared an academic and global viewpoint, the author does in fact provide advice that will be equally relevant to other libraries (many of the issues are the same across sectors) and recognises the differences between the developed and developing worlds. Throughout he makes reference to a whole range of practices or initiatives, from libraries around the world.

Like a good classifier, the author orders his content from the general to the specific. The external environment (“Campus and Community”) looks at users and their needs and this is followed by a chapter on the different aspects of collection evaluation – not least on why it needs to be done. Selection of materials, collection management (starting with access vs ownership and proceeding through to off‐site storage) are followed by financial considerations, book chain development and vendor assessment. The book is completed by some informed speculations about the future. There is a list of recommended reading, a glossary and an index.

This is not a long book. It is well constructed and presented and its chapters are concise and practical; it is surprising in fact just how comprehensive it still manages to be. It is intended to be as suited for dipping in for advice on specific topics as much as for reading straight through. Library acquisitions can be a rather arcane practice: it is a subject with its own techniques, specialities and jargon. It is rarely taught in library schools and the number of practising qualified expert acquisitions librarians is not huge. Business and accountancy techniques are not common among librarians, yet these must be married to an acquisitions function that integrates with the wider library service if it is to be properly effective.

This book will help achieve that aim: acquisitions librarians can use it both to gather helpful practical advice, and to see how and why their operations need to harmonise with the rest of the library. Other librarians can read it, in whole or in part, for just the same reason but from their own perspective to see how and why acquisitions do, or do not, support their area of the service. Students too will find it a useful and very accessible introduction.