Program Overview

Managing Collections (INST0011)

Key Information

• Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• Teaching department: Information Studies
• Credit value: 15
• Restrictions: This module is core and available only to students on the MA/PG Dip Library and Information Studies programme.

Alternative Credit Options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

This course considers the processes of library collection development, including selection and acquisition principles and methods; retention, preservation, and security policies; storage policies and planning; use and users; access to and promotion of collections; service provision; information literacy; evaluation and retention of collections; preservation strategies and conservation options. Issues relating to acquisition, access, and preservation of electronic material and special issues relating to serials, interlibrary loan, and document supply, financial issues, co-operation, and resource sharing will be discussed.

Students taking this core module will examine in detail the key issues around library collection management as "the process of planning, delivering, maintaining, and evaluating a programme of stock acquisition and management which meets current objectives and builds a coherent and reliable collection to allow for future development of the service." (CILIP PKSB 2012:26)

By the end of the module, students will:

• appreciate the importance of an agreed library collection management policy and understand how to develop and follow such a policy;
• have knowledge and understanding of a range of budgeting techniques relating to collections;
• recognise issues around equality, diversity, and inclusion and understand the value of engagement with users and other stakeholders in terms of managing and making collections accessible;
• identify various types of resources and appreciate the differences between their management;
• appreciate the impact of digital content including repositories, serials, and e-books;
• have an understanding of the importance of successfully marketing a collection;
• have an awareness of the processes around disaster and change management and preservation.

Module Deliveries for 2026/27 Academic Year

• Intended teaching term: Term 1
• Postgraduate (FHEQ Level 7)

Teaching and Assessment

• Mode of study: In person
• Methods of assessment: 100% Coursework
• Mark scheme: Numeric Marks

Other Information

• Number of students on module in previous year: 38
• Module leader: Dr Alice Corble

Last Updated

This module description was last updated on 10th March 2026.