Abstract
Collection development involves evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a library's
collection and devising a strategy to address weaknesses while maintaining strengths. This article
on the application of collection development policy as a tool for effective service delivery in
University Libraries dwells on the concepts of Collection development which is the methodical
construction of a library collection based on objective data rather than personal preference. The
paper further looked at collection development policy as a purposefully formed set of values and
directives by the library administration to improve the process of developing a collection for the
library. In addition, the discussed the application of collection development policy as one of the
most deliberated on but still not properly understood in the field of Library and information
science. Despite its benefits as an internal library document to provide guidance to staff in the
selection of resources, to assist with focus on user needs and to aid in the orientation of new
staff, its application is not without constrains such as time-consuming, difficult to compile and
review. Hence the paper recommended for the training and retraining of Librarians who will be
in the better position to make effective contribution towards collection development policy in
resource collection among other.
Publication Date: 2025-02-13