a collection development policy for nkumba university library

Description

The study aimed at developing a collection development policy for Nkumba University library. The objectives of the study were; to identify the different types of information materials in the Nkumba University Library, to examine the ways of developing the library collection at Nkumba University Library, to find out the challenges faced by the librarians in developing the library collection, to develop a collection development policy for Nkumba University Library. The study adopted a descriptive research where the researcher got an opportunity to study the problem in depth within a limited timescale. The design allowed the researcher to concentrate specifically on collection development in Nkumba University Library. The questionnaires, interview guides, and the observation guides were used in data collection necessary in designing a collection development policy. The research findings established that the library acquires information materials in different formats both print like text books and other materials like books and monographs, periodicals such as; Journals, magazines, and newspapers, dissertations, Electronic journals, electronic books, compact discs, encyclopedia. non-print electronic information, online information resources are accessed via internet. Nkumba University library also subscribes to large databases such as Emerald, Ebscohost, African Jounals online and many others. These online materials cannot be lost because they are controlled by the providers. The university has a library committee that oversees the operations and functioning of the library. The library staff is responsible for the selection and acquisition of information materials for the users to meet their information needs. the information materials are acquired through purchase, donations and gifts from international organisations, and interlibrary loan system.. The librarians are also responsible for; weeding of information materials, preservation of information materials. The challenges faced in developing the library’s collection were; inadequate space, mutilation and theft of information materials, access to funds, dumping, pests, and low bandwidth. The recommendations of the study were; increase library funding, use of online collection development, implementation of a collection development policy, interlibrary loan.