Page 113 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Library Automation

Notes 6.3 Document Selection

Document selection is the first phase. There are two aspects in document selection, namely,
planning and procedure.

6.3.1 Planning

Planning here relates to the various preparations and arrangements you have to make to carry
out the procedure efficiently. Book selection is conditioned by three factors: demand, supply
and finance. Planning, therefore, must be mainly concerned with these factors. Demand and
supply must be known, and finance secured. Further; men and materials required for the work
need to be arranged. Echoing similar views, Ranganathan suggest that the distinctive work of
Document Selection is to be planned with reference’ to the following four factors: Sources,
Selection, Indent and Finance. We shall examine below these aspects of planning under four
heads, namely

Ascertaining demand
Finding resources
Allocating funds
Arranging personnel

Ascertaining Demand

Since demand is a basic factor in selection you have to develop a system for ascertaining the
demand- Demand includes both expressed wants and unexpressed wants and unexpressed needs
of readers. Similarly, needs of both actual and potential readers should be taken into account.
Perhaps, the following sources can be made use of in ascertaining demand:

statistics relating to books circulated from, and consulted in the library;
suggestions from library staff working in the service departments;
suggestions from readers;
indents from subject experts or departments;

findings of user need survey conducted;
syllabi and prospectuses of courses of studies; and
profiles of researchers.
Demands have to be assessed in terms of their volume, value and variety. The final rating of the
demand should COMIM with the selection policy of the library. Each library ought to have its
own broad selection policy. Some libraries even have a written statement of this policy. In
either case, the policy is the basic guideline in selection of documents.

Finding Resources

As said earlier, supply is another basic factor. Supply means availability of documents for
acquisition. Information regarding supply can be collected in the form of various selection
sources or tools. The library will be regularly receiving various source materials. If not, they
have to be acquired. A good source collection may contain the following:

Trade catalogues issued by individual publishers and booksellers

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