An assessment of collection development practices in selected hybrid academic libraries in Tanzania
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Date
2018
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to assess collection development practices in selected hybrid academic libraries in Tanzania. Specifically, the study sought to examine the collection development practices; the policy, procedures and standards used to facilitate the practices; determined the involvement of library stakeholders in collection development, and identified factors which influence collection development practices in selected hybrid academic libraries. The study adopted and modified the conceptual framework developed by the International Federation of Library Associations and the Association of Colleges and Research Libraries for hybrid collection development. A mixed research design which integrates both quantitative and qualitative methods was employed to guide the study. A triangulation approach for data gathering was adopted. In the first instance, structured and standardised self-administered open and close-ended questionnaires were used to collect data from 82 respondents who were selected from a population of 297 library staff and Heads of academic departments from four purposively selected institutions. In order to complement the questionnaire, key informant interviews were conducted with four Library Directors, four Heads of library ICT section and four Ministers of Education for Students’ Organisations. The descriptive and multiple regression statistics of the Statistical Product and Service Solution were used for quantitative data analysis whereas content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Findings revealed that; evaluation and weeding practices are rarely conducted in these academic libraries. However, most of the surveyed academic libraries were operating without a comprehensive collection development policy. Library stakeholders are also rarely involved in collection development processes. The findings also indicate that hybrid collection development practices are constrained by; inadequate funding, lack of integrated collection development policy, poor strategies for professional development programmes, and poor infrastructures for collection development processes. The study recommends development of an integrated collection development policy and soliciting funds from various sources for effective collection development practices.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF Z675.U5T34M854)
Keywords
Academic libraries, University and Colleges, Library science, Tanzania
Citation
Mwilongo, K.J (2018) An assessment of collection development practices in selected hybrid academic libraries in Tanzania.Doctoral dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.