Library collection development is the process of meeting the information needs of the people (a service population) in a timely and economical manner using information resources locally held, as well as from other organizations.

Collections are developed by librarian

Librarian

A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...

s and library staff by buying or otherwise acquiring materials over a period of time, based on assessment of the information needs of the library's users. In addition to ongoing materials acquisition

Library acquisitions

Library acquisitions is the department of a library responsible for the selection and purchase of materials or resources for the library. Acquisitions may select vendors, negotiate consortium pricing, arrange for standing orders, and/or select individual titles or resources .-Functions:*Ordering,...

, library collection development includes:

• the creation of policies to guide material selection
• replacement of worn or lost materials
• removal (weeding) of materials no longer needed in the collection
• planning for new collections or collection areas
• cooperative decision-making with other libraries or within library consortia
  Consortium
  A consortium is an association of two or more individuals, companies, organizations or governments with the objective of participating in a common activity or pooling their resources for achieving a common goal....
  
  

External links

• Diversity in Collection Development, American Library Association
  American Library Association
  The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
  
  
• Collection Development and Policies, Library of Congress
  Library of Congress
  The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
  
  
• Definition of Collection Development, Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science (ODLIS)
• Library Collection Development in an Electronic Age, ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology