Paper presented at SIS 2012 Conference held at NIT Silchar organised by Dr. K C Satpathy

1. Managing Collection Development in
Selected College Libraries of Barak Valley
in Digital Era: An Exploratory Study
Arundhati Chakraborty
MLISc Student
DLISc, Assam University, Silchar
E-mail: arundhatichakraborty22@gmail.com
Dr. Manoj Kumar Sinha
Reader & Head DLISc, Assam University, Silchar
E-mail: dr_mk_sinha@yahoo.com, manoj.kumar.sinha@aus.ac.in

2. Introduction
 The term collection development is also used as synonymous with
collection building or collection management or information management.
 The primary duty of any library is to develop adequate, up-to-date and
balanced collection both qualitatively and quantitatively to meet effectively
the changing and increasing needs of the user community.
 College library is the ultimate place for the students to supplement their
class room teaching.

3. Objectives of the study
The important objectives of the study are as follows:-
To identify the acquisition programme of college libraries under the study;
To point out the strength and weakness of the existing collection and its management of the
college libraries;
To determine whether any collection development policy is followed by the colleges libraries
for the long term and short term need for the users;
To find measures to strengthen the library resources so as to meet academic requirements of
the users; and
To ascertain the availability of the digital resources as a part of their collections.

4. Methodology
 Keeping in view the objectives, problems and limitations of the study, an effort is made
to evolve a suitable methodology for the research.
 In the present study survey method has been applied to study the selected college
libraries.
 A well designed questionnaire covering all the facets of the topic has been prepared and
distributed to the librarians of eight colleges followed by the observation and interview
with the respondents as and when became necessary.

5. Library Collection Development
Library collection development is the process of meeting the information
needs of the people (a service population) in a timely and economical manner
using information resources locally held, as well as from other organizations.
Collections are developed by librarians and library staff by buying or
otherwise acquiring materials over a period, based on assessment of the
information needs of the library's users.
In addition to ongoing materials acquisition, library collection development
includes:
the creation of policies to guide material selection;
replacement of worn or lost materials;
removal (weeding) of materials no longer needed in the collection;
planning for new collections or collection areas; and
cooperative decision-making with other libraries or within library consortia.

6. Hierarchical Structure of Library Collection
Source:www.learnmanagement2.com/hierarchical%20structure/library.htm
Source:

7. Collection Development policy
 According to the guidelines of ALA “Collection Development policy is a
desirable tool for any library, which enables selection to work with greater
consistency towards defined goals, shaping stronger collection and using
funds more wisely, informs library staff users, administrators, others as to
the scope and nature of existing collection and the plans for continuing
development of resource; and provides information which will assist in the
budgetary allocation process”.
 Collection Development Policy (CDP) is essential for every library as it
provides planned collection development and helps in growth of a
qualitative library collection.

8. Table 1: Traditional Library Environment and Electronic Environment
Sl. No. Traditional Environment Electronic Environment
1. Reading Browsing
2. Ordering, Billing, Invoicing E-commerce
3. Writing Web Publishing
4. Card Catalogue OPAC
5. Document Delivery E-Prints, Attachment, Scanned Images
6. Inter Library Loan Consortia
7. Literature Search CD-ROM and Internet Search
8. Resource Sharing Networking
9. Classification Subject Directories, Subject Gateways
10. Cataloguing Metadata
11. Indexing Systems Search Strategies
Source: http://lislinks.com/forum/topics/traditional-library-environment-and-electronic-environment

9. The General Aspects of College Libraries
Table-2 : Lists of Surveyed Colleges with year of Estd.
Sl. Name of the college Year of Address of the College Location
No. Establishment
1 G.C. College 1935 College Road, Silchar Urban
2 Karimganj College 1946 Station Road, Karimganj Urban
3 Lala Rural College 1964 P.O-Lala, Dist-Hialakandi Rural
4 N.C. College 1969 P.O-Badarpur, Dist- Karimganj Urban
5 R.S. Girls College 1962 P.O-Karimganj, Dist Karimganj Urban
6 Radhamadhab college 1971 Sonai Road, Silchar Urban
7 S.S. College 1950 College Road, Dist-Hailakandi Urban
8 Women's College 1963 Shyamaprasad Road, Silchar Urban
Source: Returned Questionnaire

10. Table 3 : Background of the Librarian
Sl. Name of the College Name of the Library I/C Age Working No. of
No Librarian Experinence Seminar
Attended
1 G.C.College Prasanta Ch. Above 41 Above 16 8
Goswami
2 Karimganj college Mrs. Nibedita Above 41 Above 16 5
Bhattacharjee
3 Lala Rural College Mr. Mithun Nath 21-30 6-10 20
4 N.C.College Mr. Sankar Kumar Above 41 Above 16 5
Chakraborty
5 R.S.Girl’s College Gunendu Mohan Above 41 Above 16 3
Chakraborty
6 Radhamadhab College Mrs. Sonali 31-40 6-10 10
Choudhury
7 S.S.College D. Chakraborty Above 41 1-5 15
8 Women’s College Dr. Sarita Above 41 Above 16 13
Bhattacharjee
Source: Returned Questionnaire

11. Table 4 : Collection Development in Surveyed College Libraries
Sl. Total Collection
Name of the
No T/B Ref CP Mps AL NP MZ MS EJ BVJ DC T/D OD
College
1 G.C. College 34,000 5000 38 20 10 8 32 120 2,700 150 140 _ _
2 Karimganj 29052 500 21 _ 5 7 5 1 1 5,168 50 _ _
College
3 Lala Rural 6500 8000 5 35 2 5 3 _ _ _ _ _ _
College
4 N.C. College 11,000 500 _ 5 _ 4 8 _ 3,000 2,000 150 3 11,500
5 R.S. Girl’s College 16,200 474 11 14 2 4 5 _ _ 3,000 _ _ _
6 Radhamadhab 15,000 3,000 30 _ _ 6 7 _ 4,000 350 50 10 1
7 S.S. College 3,851 13,555 _ _ _ 6 26 _ _ _ 25 _ _
8 Women’s College 7,892 7,071 13 _ _ 4 5 _ 3,000 69 55 _ _
Note: TB: Text Books; Ref: References; CP: Current Periodicals; MPs: Maps; AL: Atlases; NP: Newspapers; MZ:
Magazines; MS: Manuscripts; EJ: Electronic Journals; BVJ: Back Volume of Journals; DC: Digital Collection; T/D:
Thesis and Dissertations; OD: Online Databases.

12. Figure 1 : Collection of Text Books
As shown in the above figure only 1(12.5%) library has the highest number of text
books (34,000) in comparison to other libraries. The S.S. College library has the
least number of text books (3,851) in comparison to other libraries.

13. Figure 2 : Status of reference Collections in the Libraries
The Figure 2 reveals that, almost all college libraries possess a large number of
reference collection. There is only 1(12.5%) library has the highest number of (13,555)
reference books, i.e., S.S. College library. only 3(37.5%) libraries have very less
number of reference collections i.e., below (500).

14. Figure 3: Status of E-journals in College Libraries
The above Figure reveals that, out of the 8 colleges, 4(50%) libraries do not
subscribed any e-journals. There is only 1(12.5%) library having 4,000 e-journals
and 2(25%) libraries having the same number of (3000) e-journal collection and
only 1(12.5%) library have 2,700 e-journal collection.

15. Table 5: Mode of Developing Collections N=8
Purchase Books No. of Libraries Percentage
Book Fair 8 100%
Local Vendors 6 75%
Distributors 5 62.5%
Others 6 75%
Source: Returned Questionnaire

16. Table 6: Problems Faces in Collection Development by the Librarian
Sl. Name of the Colleges
No Problems GCCL KCL LRC NCCL RSGC RMCL SSCL WCL Total PC (%) of
L L +vc
Response
1 Lack of Adequate Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8 100%
Staff
2 Lack of Yes No No Yes No No No No 8 25%
Administrative
Support
3 Raising Costs of No No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes 8 50%
Library Materials
4 Constant Change of Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 8 87.5%
College Curriculum
5 Others Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes 8 87.5%
The Table demonstrated that, all the respondents (100%) suggested that lack of adequate staff is
the main problem in collection development. Second valid problem was lack of administrative
support, although only 1(12.5%) respondents agreed with that statement, yet they hesitated to fill
up that question, as we noticed that at the time of survey. There are 4(50%) respondents suggested
raising cost of library material is also one kind of problem, that they felt. And 7(87.5%) of
respondents opine that constant change of college curriculum and there are so many other
problems exists that are major obstacles for collection development in the libraries.

17. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
In view of our objectives of the study major findings of the study have been presented below:
It has been found that, out of the 8 colleges, only 2(25%) were established
before 1947. The name of the colleges, are Guru Charan College and Karimganj
College.
From the survey it is found that, 4(50%) libraries does not have professional
librarian.
It has been found that, 6(75%) libraries are purchasing books from local
vendor.
The present study reveals that, 5(62.5%) librarians have about more than 16
years of working experience.

18. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
 It has been found that, G.C. College library being the oldest library among
the other libraries, has the most number of collection, more than 34,000 text
books followed by Karimganj College library 29,052 text book collection.
 Most of the college library lacks reference collections and mostly filled
with textbook collection.
 S.S. college library has the highest number reference collection of 13,555
and R.S. Girl’s College library has the least number of reference collections
i.e. 474.
 Radhamadhab college library has maximum number of electronic journals
i.e., 4,000 in comparison to other college libraries.

19. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY
In Some college libraries the collections of non-book materials like
CD/DVD cassettes are very few.
Maximum numbers of college libraries have only 1 to 3 library staff. G.C.
College library has the highest number of (11) professional staff. In most of
the college libraries, librarian is the only professionally qualified staff.
From the survey it is found that, G.C. College Library subscribe the
maximum number of Newspaper i.e. 8 newspaper followed by Karimganj
College library of 7 newspaper

20. Suggestions
 At least three services i.e.,(a) Reference service (b) Current Awareness
service and (c) Inter Library Loan service must be rendered in all college
libraries irrespective of the size of the library.
 The collection of the libraries should be enhanced.
 All college libraries should have library committee including librarian as
convener or secretary.
 There should be more subscription of e-journals and newspapers.
 E-resources, open source, consortia mode of subscription, free open access
resources, web-based resources, etc are available now. Librarian should
think such options too.
 Every college should have efficient staff strength with standard pay scales
and qualifications to provide better services.

21. Suggestions
 College authorities should give due priority to provide training facilities for
untrained library personnel and should send them to national and
international training programmes when necessary.
 There should be annual inspection at each college library by library experts
to evaluate the performance of the library
 Fund for libraries should be increased and purchase of various reading
materials should be influenced.
 The college authority should provide the autonomy, freedom and financial
powers to Librarians to look after the growth and development as well as
the functioning of the libraries.
These suggestions, if implemented, are likely to solve the existing problems
and make the systems and services more effective.

22. Conclusions
 This paper mainly attempts to know the different types of collections in some
college libraries of Barak Valley and to point out the strength and weakness of the
existing collection of these libraries in this digital era.
 Under the study, it was noted that, Selected 8 College libraries of Barak Valley,
these days facing so many problems in relation to collection development and other
related issues. The researcher tries to overcome these problems through this paper.
 The researchers observed that very few college libraries framed the collection
development policy for development and management their collection. However
none of surveyed college libraries have a written policy statement. Collection
development policy gives certain guidelines to building a rich collection so it is
necessary for all libraries.
 The study would positively help the librarian, library professionals and library
authority. The study also helps the librarians to know about their library holding
status, position and services in comparison to other college libraries located in
Barak Valley.