Rethinking The Collection Development Phenomenon A Case Study of KNUST Library

ABSTRACT

Academic libraries, particularly university libraries, play pivotal role in document information dissemination. They provide educational sources for students, lecturers and researchers. In other words they are central sources of acquisition of varied and diverse information. The ever increasing growth in the volume of publication in all fields of knowledge coupled with the advent of information and communication technology in libraries, have widened the scope oflibrary services, especially university library services. It has been noted, however, that collection development is one of the least developed aspects of librarianship in Ghana. Consequently many academic libraries in Ghana are unable to achieve the objectives for which they have been established. The study was to examine the collection development procedures of the KNUST Library in relation to user information needs. The study was designed within the framework of collection development processes; it lays emphasis on collection development upon request. The concept here is easy access to relevant information upon demand and not collection development in anticipation of user need. The study involved the collection of extensive data to produce understanding of the entity being studied. The research design used by the researcher in the study was survey methodology. Questionnaires were used as the data collection instrument for the study. Data was collected from 84 out of 85 library personnel of the KNUST Library System. Among the significant findings were that the KNUST Library does not have a laid down policy on access to information. The library does not have adequate funds to be able to fulfill all its collection development objectives. It was also found that, the whole library system is yet to be automated thus, users do not have the opportunity to do online search to enhance access to information. Among the recommendations made were that the library should have a well documented policy on access to information and the functions of the library should also be automated.