A library acquisition policy is a formal statement that guides the library’s acquisition of materials to be added to its collections. It has a number of elements each addressing a specific purpose. This paper looks at the elements included in the policy.
According to oxford English dictionary, a policy is a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual. It is basically a concise formal statement of principles or actions which indicate how an organisation will act in a particular area of its operation. A written policy prevents the organization from being driven by events or by individual enthusiasms and from engaging in projects, actions or activities, which may not support the mission of the organization.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Importance of a written library acquisition policy
- Elements of an acquisition policy
- Preamble/Overview
- General statements about the various parameters of the collection
- Types of programmes or users' needs to be met by the collection
- Limitations and priorities
- Cooperative acquisition agreements
- Sets of subject areas to be covered
- Policies on the following:
- Copyright and confidentiality
- Censorship
- Gifts and Donations
- Weeding or deselection
- Duplicate copies
Objectives and Key Themes
The primary aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the elements that should be included in a library acquisition policy. The paper explores the rationale for each element, highlighting its importance in guiding library acquisition activities and ensuring effective resource management.
- The significance of a written acquisition policy in defining the scope of the library's collection and guiding acquisition practices
- The role of the policy in ensuring consistency and continuity in collection development, even in the event of staff changes
- The importance of a clear policy framework in addressing censorship concerns, handling gifts and donations, and managing duplicate copies
- The contribution of the acquisition policy to operational efficiency and compliance with legal requirements
- The value of the policy in facilitating cooperative activities with other libraries and avoiding unnecessary duplication of efforts
Chapter Summaries
The paper begins by explaining the definition of a library acquisition policy and its importance as a guiding document for library acquisition activities. It then explores key elements of a comprehensive acquisition policy, including:
- Introduction: The introduction defines the concept of a policy and its relevance in the context of library operations. It underscores the importance of having a formal written document to guide acquisition activities, ensuring consistency and adherence to the library's mission.
- Importance of a Written Library Acquisition Policy: This section delves into the various reasons why a written acquisition policy is indispensable for a library. It highlights its role in defining the scope of the collection, providing guidelines for acquisition practices, and facilitating decision-making regarding resource allocation.
- Elements of an Acquisition Policy: This section examines the essential components of a comprehensive acquisition policy. It covers aspects such as the mission and objectives of the library, the community served, the types of materials to be acquired, limitations and priorities, cooperative agreements, subject areas to be covered, and specific policies related to copyright, censorship, gifts, weeding, and duplicate copies.
Keywords
The primary keywords and concepts addressed in this paper include: library acquisition policy, collection development, mission and objectives, community needs, resource allocation, censorship, copyright, gifts and donations, weeding, duplicate copies, cooperative agreements, legal requirements, operational efficiency, and resource management.
- Quote paper
- Mr. Daniel Kinyanjui (Author), 2017, Elements of a library acquisition policy, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/367934
