Abstract:
All Library Services are collection based. Libraries cannot exist without collections.
Collection of materials that record human thought by libraries can be defined as library
collections. Since the library is a growing organism it is inevitable that all types of
libraries should engage in the development of their collections. University libraries are
considered to be central to the entire education and research activities of universities.
Therefore the careful developed collections that satisfy the user needs are essential to
university libraries.
The present study is an investigation of the collection development policies of the
university library in Sri Lanka. Thoughtfully prepared policy framework is a must in
order to develop a balanced and effective collection in a university library. Fifteen
university libraries except those in north and east have been selected for the study. Data
gathering was mainly done by using questionnaire method. Questionnaire was targeted at
finding out the collection development policy of each library.
It was found that no university library examined under the survey had written collection
development policy, other than traditional norms used in book selection. As a result the
collection were not balanced and unable to satisfy user needs satisfactorily. Unnecessary
duplication, unused materials, lack of needy recourses, frustration of users, inefficiency
delivering information services were seen a direct results of the absence of proper
collection development policy.
It is suggested that each university library in Sri Lanka should formulate a collection
development policy in consultation with relevant stakeholders within the university as
well an outside the university. Such a policy must be a written document and should
under go periodical revisions to reflect the changes in education and research activities of
the university. Collections developed on such a policy could only deliver the maximum
benefit to the clientele.
