Collection Development at SJU Libraries

SUMMARY Collection development in academic libraries has become a difficult process in an era of technological change. Today's academic librarian must not only have subject expertise, but must also balance print and electronic collections, and have familiarity with budgeting skills such as a cost-benefit analysis. The creation and implementation of a Collection Development Policy Statement should be at the heart of all purchasing decisions. This statement should be a written policy, one which employs the ALA Guidelines of Collection Development and one that uses the university's and library's mission statements and strategic plan as its guiding force. The collection development policy needs to be revised in conjunction with the ever changing needs of the library's users and the growth of technology. This article will explore the creation and revision of the Collection Development Policy at St. John's University, New York. The focus is twofold: the need for a written Col