Serial selection at the University of Botswana Library
| Date | 01 October 2000 |
| Published date | 01 October 2000 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120010338793 |
| Pages | 357-364 |
| Author | Edward Lumande,Ayoku A. Ojedokun,E.K. Lebotse,Albertina M. Mbangiwa |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Serial selection at the
University of Botswana
Library
Edward Lumande
Ayoku A. Ojedokun
E.K. Lebotse and
Albertina M. Mbangiwa
Introduction
Collection development has always been a
shared responsibility between the librarians
and the teaching faculty under the co-
ordination of the collection development
librarian, or the designated librarian, in most
academic libraries (Middle Tennessee...,
1980; Mount Saint Vincent..., 1998). Serial
selection forms an important part of this
responsibility. The librarian has the
responsibility to maintain a general balance
in, and the quality of, the collection.
However, the explosion in scientific research
is causing a huge increase in the number of
journals published, as well as creating
problems for information managers in
selecting and controlling acquisitions. Added
to this, the continual increases in the
subscription rates of journals, the lack of
adequate library budgets, and difficult fiscal
years ahead, have all invariably interfered with
any systematic selection process for journals.
Notwithstanding these problems, there is still
the need to make a careful selection of
journals when planning purchases. This paper
will compare the criteria and/or guidelines
and procedures for serials selection in other
academic libraries with that of the University
of Botswana Library, with a view to reviewing
processes and procedures as they may seem to
be appropriate.
Serials: selection and review criteria
In many academic libraries today materials
selection is considered not only on the basis of
the total funds available, but also on such
criteria as being library materials essential for
the instructional needs of each department.
Other criteria include the number of faculty in
each department, number of courses taught
(graduate and undergraduate), new courses to
be introduced, deficiencies in the existing
collection, the number of students enrolled,
and the average prices of books and other
materials in the different subject areas.
Serials impose long-term and complex fiscal
and physical commitments (Mount Saint
Vincent..., 1998). The selection of a serial
requires a continuing commitment to the base
cost of the title, including maintenance,
equipment, and storage space (Codispoti et
al., 1997) and so its acquisition presents
challenges generally absent in the acquisition
The authors
Edward Lumande is Senior Assistant Librarian, Ayoku
A. Ojedokun, E.K. Lebotse and Albertina M.
Mbangiwa are Assistant Librarians, at the University of
Botswana Library, Gaborone, Botswana.
Keywords
University libraries, Botswana, Collection management,
Serials
Abstract
Inconsistency and/or a lack of a clear understanding of the
criteria for serial selection and evaluation have been
observed to characterise the presentation of requests for
approval of serials at the University of Botswana Library
(UBL). This, on a number of occasions, has made decision
taking difficult and sometimes inconclusive. The paper
provides a case study of the examination of guidelines in
use in other academic libraries. It also describes the
process and procedure currently in use at the UBL. The
study identified some anomalies and suggests
modifications to ensure consistency in the presentation of
submissions to guide better decision making by the
Serials Selection Committee of the Library.
Electronic access
The research register for this journal is available at
http://www.mcbup.com/research_registers/lm.asp
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emerald-library.com
357
Library Management
Volume 21 .Number 7 .2000 .pp. 357±364
#MCB University Press .ISSN 0143-5124
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