Collection development at academic libraries: Problems and solutions

Abstract

The main aspects of university library collection development in changing education environment are discussed. The need for efficient management of building and using digital information resources is stressed. The focus is made on shaping the image of librarians and a professional guide, on transforming libraries’ role and exploring modern user demands in the information and technological environment. The increase in the library user number is explained by the two-level education system and new structures within the universities. The authors analyze and generalize on the university libraries practical experience. Methods and approaches toward building library collections at N. Ogarev Mordovian State University, P. G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University, Yaroslavl State Technical University are discussed. The authors emphasize that not only libraries are in charge of providing teaching aids to support university curricula but also faculty, administration and providers.

The legislation and regulations of academic libraries’ collection development are analyzed in the historical context. The authors conclude that the libraries have to adapt to continuous changes and transformations building their strategies and priority system, identifying their mission in the ever-changing world.