The Sixteenth International Conference on Books, Publishing & Libraries

Abstract

Information Resource Development Policy identifies and communicates the long- and short-term collection goals and policies of a library. The Policy states the principles and guidelines to be followed by librarians in developing and maintaining balanced resources across disciplines. It also takes into account the mission and goals of the institutions while being responsive to the changing needs of a dynamic institution. It also implies all library resources, whether owned, leased, or borrowed, physical or electronic. The main reason to write information resource development policy in an academic library is to prevent the library from being driven by events or by individual enthusiasms and from purchasing a random set of resources, which may not support the mission of the library. It is in line with these that the paper discusses the concept of Information Resource Development Policy in academic libraries its elements, factors to formation and implementation, criteria for evaluating information resources, and its challenges. The paper also discuss community analysis as a way for effective information resource development in academic libraries.