Promoting the Library Through the Collection Development Policy: A Case Study

Abstract

Libraries are facing significant challenges from several different fronts. To stay relevant, libraries need to better communicate their value and how they contribute to the mission of their institutions. One strategy to consider is creating a marketing program to better understand library user needs, help shape library collections and services to meet those needs, and then ensure awareness of those collections and services. The Health Sciences Library at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center utilized and updated their collection development policy as the impetus to create a new marketing program for the library. Initial results have been promising.

KEYWORDS:

• collection development
• marketing
• stakeholders
• health sciences libraries
• pay-per-view
• electronic books
• electronic journals
• collection assessment
• collection development policy
• marketing strategies
• marketing program

Notes

*Mean scores.