Training New Acquisitions and Collection Development Librarians: Some Technical and Philosophical Guideposts

Abstract

This article focuses on training new acquisitions and collection development librarians. Coming into acquisitions or collection development is an exciting time for newly minted librarians and librarians switching from other areas alike. Acquisitions and collection development are the hub where education, curriculum analysis, needs assessment, business, and technology come together, combining the business and intellectual worlds. To succeed, acquisitions and collection development librarians must be able to Internet with a vast variety of people with differing perspectives and work styles, organize and complete multiple projects on time and on budget, pace purchasing within the fiscal-year calendar,and have a good grasp of users' needs and interest. While all new acquisitions and collection development librarians have the foundation of the professional degree, graduate programs in librarianship differ in emphasis on theory and practice. New acquisitions librarians should also be encouraged to obtain specific hands-on information from their support staff who are the closest to certain tasks.