Dissertation Information for Josette Anne Lyders NAME: - Josette Anne Lyders
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- Simmons College (USA) (1983)
ADVISORS: - Robert Stueart
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - None
MPACT Status: Fully Complete
Title: The significance of written collection development policies among academic libraries in Texas : an analysis
Abstract: This field research study addresses the problem of finding out whether academic libraries In Texas have collection development policies, and then examining certain of these policies for the fundamental elements that support modern library collection management. A sample of academic libraries was invited to participate in the study, and a descriptive research method called "content analysis" was used to examine the policies ultimately selected for study. Fifty academic/research libraries in Texas with a materials budget exceeding $100,000 were selected as the sample population. Survey letters with response cards, forms, and question sheets were used to test the hypothesis "Written Collection development policies are not an important factor in the management of Texas Academic libraries." The same survey process secured answers to one of the related research questions "What Interest Is expressed for the establishment of a written collection development policy (where none exists) by those responding to this study?" The survey process also secured actual copies of collection development policies and policies in draft form for analysis. The content analysis component of the study used an "Instrument" of a set of twenty elements, or content units, selected and defined by the researcher for this study. All policy material received was carefully read, and seventeen policies (eleven completed and six in draft form) were selected for the final analysis. A 98% response to the the preliminary survey letter effectively answered the question of the existence of written policies In Texas. 88% of those forty-nine libraries responding indicated they either have a policy, are In the process of preparing one, or are considering developing one. Of thirty-six libraries that answered further questions, 39% indicated that they had never before had a collection development policy, primarily because of lack of staff time to devote to the development of a pol Icy, and lack of perceived need for a policy; 36% indicated specifically that they used the ALA/RTSD "Guidelines for the Formulation of Collection Development Policies", and 22% indicated that they used the policies of other libraries as models; 44% indicated having collection development librarian positions; and 67% indicated that material is selected by library staff in combination with individual faculty. Examination of the contents of the policies determined that none included all of the twenty elements that comprised the analytical instrument. Two of the policies contained seventeen of the elements while most contained between twelve and sixteen, with the median being fourteen. Four elements appeared in all seventeen policies: "the selection process," "forms of materials collected or excluded," "a language statement," and "a statement on duplication." One element never appeared: "language codes." The findings of this study do not support the hypothesis that "written collection development policies are not a significant factor in the management of Texas academic library collections." Overwhelming evidence was found to reject this hypothesis. There is abundant evidence in the Texas policies that national guidelines are being followed and that there is a great interest in the continued improvement of collection development program documentation. The careful construction of the policies in Texas has implications for the potential of cooperative collection development and for resource-sharing. Refinements of this study in terms of more specificity in the content-units sought could address particular resource-sharing capabilities or cooperative collection development plans of groups of libraries. The study itself could be replicated in other locations and in other types of libraries to determine similar cooperative capabilities in collection development.
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MPACT Scores for Josette Anne Lyders A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:33:23
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