Imagine: collection development in Greek academic libraries in 2001

Abstract

Librarians are adapting the principles and practices of collection devel­opment to integrate new forms of publishing into the concept of library "collections". One essential challenge is to learn to choose wisely among formats when the same information is available in a variety of published forms. Selection considerations include evaluating the quality of the content, assessing the overall usability and value added features of each of the formats available, and analyzing the cost effectiveness of each option. This paper presents an overview of the emerging organizational models and analytical methods used to systematically select CDROM's and network accessible resources. Discussed are: 1. suggestions for staff training and organizational development to facilitate selection; 2. meth­ods of assessing the total organizational impact of selection decisions; 3. selection criteria for evaluating digital resources; 4. considerations in negotiating terms and conditions of license agreements (such as pass­word/security control, archival access, fixed fee pricing, limitations on downloading/printing); and 5. issues in consortial licensing of resources for academic libraries. In presenting current theory and practice of col­lection development in relation to digital resources, the specific emphasis is on selection of electronic journals and examples are drawn from the current e-journals marketplace.