7 - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

Digital Library Collection Development and Management Policies
Rajendran. L 1 , Venkatesan.M 1 and Kanthimathi.S 2
Abstract
The Processes of Collection Development and Collection management are undergoing
a transformation as well. This is due to the effect of great many and diverse digital
resources and tools that can be used in collection development and that are generally
and easily available through the Internet. The Digital Library Collection Policy is a
standard library practice for publicly declaring a library’s intent for breadth and depth
of the material; it will collect within certain subject areas, genres, or physical formats.
Such declarations are useful tools that scholars can use to determine the relative utility
of a collection for their purposes, as well as to assist in cooperative collection
development with other libraries.
Key Words: Digital Collection policy, Challenges to Digital Collection, Principles for
Digital Collection.
1. Introduction
Libraries are about many things. But, Collections have always been at the heart of
libraries, be they digital, traditional brick and mortar, or hybrid between the two.
Moreover, collections will retain that role in the future as well. However, the concept of
what constitutes a collection in the networked environment of digital libraries is
undergoing a transformation from the age-old concept of library collection signified by
ownership. A new concept of a digital collection is evolving incorporating adaptations of
many old features and standards, and creation of many brand new ones. This conceptual
and pragmatic evolution is far from over. The concepts and processes of collection
development and collection management are undergoing a transformation as well. This is
due to the effect of great many and diverse digital resources and tools that can be used in
collection development and that are generally and easily available through the Internet.
New processes and tools for collection development has emerged, used for development
and management of both, traditional and digital collections. In addition, the process of
collection management became more closely connected than ever with means, ways, and
policies for access, adding an additional dimension.
2. Challenges
Digital Library faces some challenges at collection and development processes as
follows:
• Technical Architecture
• Copy right Management
• Preservation
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1. Tagore Engineering College, Chennai-600 048. (rajendranlak@yahoo.com)
2. Rani Anna Govt. College for Women, Tirunelveli
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