Collection development practices of private academic libraries in Bacolod and Iloilo City: A basis for a collection development plan

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the collection development practices of private academic libraries in Bacolod City and Iloilo City which was used as basis for a collection development plan. The respondents were the 35 private academic libraries in both cities. Data gathering was conducted on September 2015 using personal interview of the librarians. This one-shot survey determined the academic activities and provisions for collection building and extent of resources acquired for efficient and productive collection development in the target libraries. The main question addressed by the research was: Are the libraries performing as per standard in collection building?

The following were the major findings of the study. The standard practices for book selection, budgeting, procurement process were not being effectively implemented in the majority of the respondent libraries. There were libraries that did not have a written collection development policy. Alumni in other libraries have not been tapped not for gifts/donations to contribute to growth of library holdings. While there were donations received from other sources, most are outdated and obsolete in value. Most of the librarians were not aware of such cooperative ventures as of ALBASA and Books for Asia Foundation. Library linkages and exchanges were participated in by only a few libraries. Many problems regarding collection development have been discussed. Performance of the collection development practices of the libraries varied every year. Rapid growth was seen during years when most of the libraries were into accreditation and recognition for a specific program/s in which they acquired more volumes to comply with standard set forth by the accrediting agencies. Efficiency of procurement from book sellers gained a positive response. It was also revealed that Faculty Committee’s role was perceived as contributory to a balanced and sound collection development.