COLLECTION MANAGEMENT IN THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES: POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND USERS' SATISFACTION

The main objective of this study was to investigate the policies as well as procedures of collection management (CM) adopted by and to explore issues, challenges and impact of ICT, electronic resources and HEC Digital Library on CM and the level of users? satisfaction with these policies and procedures in the university libraries of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), province, Pakistan. Mixed methods research design was adopted and the study was completed in three phases. In the first phase, a thorough literature search was carried out by using standard sources and tools for better understanding of theoretical and technical aspects of the study. Major areas covered in literature review include: (i) collection development; (ii) CM; (iii) collection development and management activities in the university libraries internationally and in Pakistan; (iv) factors affecting CM policies and procedures; and (v) the impact of ICT, electronic resources and HEC Digital Library on CM activities in the university libraries of Pakistan. The survey instruments were development in second phase, which were peer reviewed and pilot tested in order to ensure the validity and reliability of data. Finally, quantitative data about policies and procedures of CM were collected from LIS professionals working in the central libraries of all (26) public and private sector universities of KPK with 100% response rate. Data about users? satisfaction with the policies and procedures of CM were collected from faculty members who were purposively selected, including 10 each from the 26 universities of the province. In total 260, (77%) responses were received and analyzed quantitatively. Interviews with 25 LIS professionals, and 4 senior LIS educationalists were also conducted and qualitatively interpreted for in-depth understanding of phenomena under study.</br> \ud Data analysis shows a complete absence of formal collection development policies (CDPs) in the university libraries of KPK. All LIS professionals adopt variety of traditional strategies for CM in isolation that are influenced by various factors including library budget, lack of cooperation from faculty and administration; lack of users? needs assessment on regular basis and patterns, nonexistence of CDPs, and conflicts over the selection and acquisition of library materials. The study demonstrates lack of cooperation among university libraries of the province. The applications of ICT and HEC Digital Library seem to have placed an impact on the traditional policies and procedures of CM by providing access to electronic and digital resources. However, due to poor marketing and lack of information and digital literacy on the part of users, the resources of HEC \ud Digital Library are under-used. Users are dissatisfied with the policies and procedures of CM in fulfilling their information needs effectively. The reason behind this is the absence of formal CDPs and communication gaps between faculty, administration and LIS professionals. The study observed that lack of proper interest by library management, insufficient efforts by LIS professionals towards realising their active role for the formulation of written CDPs, absence of proper library committees, lack of coordination with the faculty, administrative problems with authorities and lack of resources in the libraries are the main factors affecting the formulation of written CDPs. According to LIS professionals? viewpoint, faculty and administration seem to be responsible for hindering various library related matters including the allocation of budget and formulation of CDPs and procedures; however LIS educationalists mentioned and literature shows that their passive attitude and lack of dedication towards discharging professional duties are also among the deteriorating factors. The study suggests that despite numerous technical, procedural, psychological and attitudal issues, LIS professionals?, HEC authorities', university administrations?, and library associations? positive role in developing standards for CM can improve the situation. All LIS professionals should develop their administrative skills, knowledge of ICT applications and establish good working relations with faculty and administration and adopt contemporary CM strategies to fulfil the in time educational, research and information needs of the users. This study has practical implications for the stakeholders of the higher education sector in Pakistan including the authorities of federal and provincial ministries of education, HEC, university administration; LIS professionals and library associations to plan effective CM policies and procedures for the libraries of higher education institutions