Writing a Collection Development Plan for an Academic Library

The objective for this project was to create a comprehensive collection development plan for the Downs-Jones Library (DJL). First, I completed a literature review on collection development methods, then selected several methods to gather data: interviewing DJL librarians, conducting a faculty survey/meeting, and carrying out a syllabus study. I also weeded and assessed select subject areas to familiarize myself firsthand with the collection. After analyzing and discussing the collected data with my field supervisor, I wrote a collection development plan that achieves several goals: to describe the existing collection, its purpose, and the community it serves; to explain the selection and deselection criteria for library materials; and to provide direction for continued collection development. It is my hope that this plan will help DJL staff shape a collection that is relevant and responsive to the needs of the HT community.