Collection Management in Libraries

Collections are both physical and digital, and include digital and digitised resources, physical resources in a wide variety of formats, and published and unpublished resources.

Each collection is developed differently depending on the type and purpose of a library or information centre, the needs of its users, available budget, participation in consortia, etc.

Collections are managed to meet immediate information needs and longer-term cultural and heritage needs of a country and region.

For more information watch the course introduction video below.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to

• Discuss the range and context of collections including types, formats, their value and governance.
• Compare and evaluate the processes used in building and developing different types of library collections including selection and acquisition procedures for physical and digital formats.
• Explain the management of collections including collection assessment, funding, policies, standards, legislation, bibliographic control, cultural and other factors, such as storage, conservation and organisation.
• Discuss access to collections including circulating and non-circulating collections, electronic access, e-licensing (books and journals), and taking into account cultural, heritage and other contexts.

Assessment

100% internally assessed

Textbooks

No textbooks are required for this course

Computer and internet requirements

This course is delivered online, so you will access the course and do your study online, which generally includes reading and doing activities, watching videos, downloading content, and writing and submitting assessments online.

For online learning you need:

• Access to a laptop or desktop computer
• Reliable broadband internet and a data plan

Find out more about online learning

If you are unsure if your current computer or internet access will allow you to study online please contact us.