CSIR laboratories libraries in Delhi and Lucknow: development and use

Abstract

Traditionally, the library is a physical place where collection of information resources in various formats (books, journals, videos, CD-ROMs etc.) is organized in a specific manner to meet the needs of a specific user or user groups. It is a service organization with both tangible and intangible assets. The tangible assets constitute physical document and the human resources. The intangible assets comprise the invaluable services rendered by the library staff. The library plays an important role in the world by providing access to world class information resources and services and stimulates research in the country. Collection development is an exciting challenging area in which to work and electing the right materials for the library s community is as intellectually demanding an activity as a librarian will encounter. Collection development (also known as collection or materials management) involves the identification, selection, acquisition and evaluation of a collection of library resources (e.g. Print materials, audio-visual materials, electronic resources) for a community of users. While it is the goal of collection development to meet the information needs of everyone in a user community, this is not usually realized due to financial constraints, the diversity of user information needs, and the vast amount of avoidable information. A collection development policy is a written statement of the library s intentions for building its collection. It describes the collection s strengths and weakness and provides guidelines for library staff. A collection development policy should be a living document, adaptable to change and growth. It provides guidelines that can be modified as the library s collection needs change. The present study specifically deals with the policy aspects and dimensions of developing library collection and its uses from the view point of the librarians as well as the user communities including scientists. The study has been made meaningful by taking up the studies of 9 surveyed libraries.