Module Information

The module explores fundamental areas of collection development, collection review and evaluation. It also covers topics such as the resource discovery, promotion of collection use, preservation, and collection issues related to particular formats. Its overriding concern is the management of collections of resources (whether in one or a number of formats), and organisation of access to virtual collections in effective, efficient and economical ways, in order to meet the needs of user communities. The module considers a range of heritage organisations, but focuses on the library in particular to provide examples of practice.

The module introduces students to the core issues relating to collection management and development including: questions about the nature and scope of collections in practice; collection management of printed and electronic books, including selection, acquisition, resource discovery and access, managing suppliers and publishers, and open access publishing; printed and electronic serials and journal collection management, including licensing, open access journals, consortia and budget management issues; the collection development policy and its critiques; collection evaluation and review, promotion and preservation. The module will be delivered through presentations, and practical workshops. There will be visits and guest speakers will provide perspectives drawn from practice.