New program growth and its impact on collection assessment at the UNLV Libraries
| Date | 01 September 2005 |
| Published date | 01 September 2005 |
| Pages | 362-371 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830510621775 |
| Author | Reeta Sinha,Cory Tucker |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
THEME ARTICLE
New program growth and its
impact on collection assessment
at the UNLV Libraries
Reeta Sinha
Collection Development Department, University Libraries,
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and
Cory Tucker
University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Abstract
Purpose – Seeks to describe how Lied Library has responded to a rapid increase in the number of
new academic programs and degrees at UNLV resulting from new strategic initiatives and tremendous
growth of the university’s student population during the past four years.
Design/methodology/approach – The authors focus on the role of the Collection Development
(CD) department in the university’s approval process for new academic programs and the role of
subject librarians in assessing how well the Libraries’ collection meets the demands of new programs
proposed by faculty.
Findings – Detailed descriptions are provided of the process used by subject librarians and CD to
develop the tools and guidelines necessary to assess library collections in support of new academic
programs.
Practical implications – Provides information and a model for other libraries and subject
bibliographers to use when developing library collection assessment processes and guidelines.
Originality/value – Provides practical information and tools for subject bibliographers and CD
departments responsible for performing collection assessment reports for library administrators
and/or university officials as new academic programs are proposed.
Keywords Collections management, Assessment,Academic libraries, Budgetarycontrol
Paper type Case study
Given its location in one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the USA, it is no
surprise that during the past several years, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
(UNLV) has experienced a large increase in the number of students enrolled and new
academic programs proposed and approved. These new programs and initiatives,
outlined in the 1998-2003 Academic Master Plan (www.unlv.edu/PAIR/planning/
academic_master_plan.html), build on the achievements of the university’s previous
five-year plan. A total of 28 new academic programs were implemented between 1993
and 1997 to meet the demands of a rapidly growing student body and to achieve
UNLV’s vision and goals as a premier metropolitan research university. The rapid pace
with which increases in student enrollment and new programs have evolved has,
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is available at The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
LHT
23,3
362
Received 1 February 2005
Revised 30 March 2005
Accepted 25 April 2005
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 23 No. 3, 2005
pp. 362-371
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830510621775
To continue reading
Request your trial