Seeing the trees through the forest. Centralising collection management at academic libraries in Hong Kong
| Pages | 37-44 |
| Published date | 07 January 2014 |
| Date | 07 January 2014 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-05-2013-0045 |
| Author | Brian Minihan |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries |
Seeing the trees through
the forest
Centralising collection management at
academic libraries in Hong Kong
Brian Minihan
Library, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Abstract
Purpose – Collaborative efforts in academic library collection management and development are
frequent topics in library literature. This paper aims to analyse the nature of collaborative projects
among Hong Kong academic libraries, with a view to whether further synchronisation of collection
management is likely or not.
Design/methodology/approach – By comparing collaboration, as defined in the academic library
literature from the 1970s to the present, to the status of current collaboration in academic libraries in
Hong Kong, the local outlook for collaborative collection decisions among an eight-member library
consortium was analysed. The ramification of local weeding projects and collection management
decisions without a joint storage facility and its associated communication benefits regarding
collection management decisions are detailed.
Findings – Hong Kong academic libraries will all need to communicate clearly to one another and
agree on local strategies before they can expect to build up to see any benefits from collaboration in
collection management and development.
Originality/value – Although many of the themeshave been touchedupon before, in an Asiancontext
it is useful to emphasize that success in collaboration is not dependent on budgets and resources alone.
Keywords Hong Kong, Academiclibraries, Collection management, Weeding, Consortia
Paper type Conceptual paper
In Hong Kong, academic libraries are no stranger to the concept of collaboration. In
many aspects of library resources, the eight academic libraries that form the Joint
University Library Advisory Committee (JULAC) have formed a cohesive representative
unit. We share the same Integrated Library System and its vendor. We share the same
approval plan vendorand distributor of English language monographs andhave formed
purchasing blocs of e-books from vendors. JULAC has alsoshown significant interest in
establishing the Joint University Research Archive (JURA), a high-density storage
facility to house print materials drawn from all eight universities. However, when it
comes to collaboratingto face challenges from more than oneentity, sharing of resources
becomes significantly more limited. Thispaper will explore where collaborationends in
collection management and development in academic libraries in Hong Kong – where
obstacles lie for further cohesive collaboration in collections and explore specific and
strategic areas and methods for further collaboration in the future.
Review of concepts in collaborative collections in academic libraries
A selective review of prevalent themes in sources of collaboration in collection
management and development begins with the theory that self-contained owners hip of
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Centralising
collection
management
37
Received 8 April 2013
Accepted 22 May 2013
Library Management
Vol. 35 No. 1/2, 2014
pp. 37-44
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-05-2013-0045
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