COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: THE DILEMMA OF DONATIONS OF LIBRARY RESOURCES IN GHANA

Abstract

The study investigated collection development policy (CDP) in academic libraries twist with the dilemma of donations of library resources in Ghana with the view of making appropriate suggestion per the outcome of the research. The research explored objectives such as influence of collection development policy on donations, forms of donations acceptable and relevance of donations to collection development of the Technical University Libraries (TULs) in Ghana. The population of the study consist five technical university libraries in Ghana. The study adopted a survey design with quantitative approach. Out of 135 copies of questionnaire distributed, 121 copies were retrieved valid for analysis. This represented 90% of the valid sample size for analysis. The study reveals the existence of collection development policy in the libraries studied. The research establishes that the collection development policy clearly stipulates the handling and treatment of all kinds of donations, however more attention is given to digital information resources and materials. The research brought to bear that donation forms a vital part of the collection of technical university libraries in Ghana. Based on the findings, the study made some recommendations. Among them are enhancing technical university library staff awareness and training on CDP, strengthening policy implementation and reviewing mechanisms among librarians, developing clear and accessible donation guidelines for all stakeholders, promoting diversity in accepting donations in academic libraries, improving donation evaluation and management systems of all kinds and strengthening donor engagement and collaboration among all stakeholders in Ghana and beyond.