1.1 INTRODUCTION
The word -library” is derived from the lain word -liber” which means book. It however has many different definitions. According to the united national education -a library” is an organized collection of published book and periodical and services of a staff able to provide and interpreter such materials as are required to meet the informational research, educational or recreational need of its users.
The importance of applying sound and functional policy as regards to collection development in a library cannot be over looked because the well being of the library depend solely on the nature and quality of relevant materials available.
Collection development is the process the library adopts in assembling together different types of materials, which the users may need. It is a term that encompasses member of activities related to the development of the library collection including the determination and co-ordination selection policy.
Collection development can also be defined as the process of planning a stock acquisition programme, not simply to cater for immediate needs but to build a coherent and reliable collection over a number of years to meet objective of the service. Collection development is made up of many elements, which includes community analysis or user study, policies, selection, acquisition, weeding and evaluation.
Amongst all the elements that make-up collection development, the policy that guides it, is the most important because it is the blue print that guides the library in its collection development policy is caries out it’s development. It specifies the kind of materials to be selected, acquisition procedure for evaluation of library material and weeding.
Collection development could be written or unwritten, but written one is better than the unwritten, because it is rigid and states plainly what the library must follow in acquiring material. Collection development policy is made up of many components, which includes: objective of the institution, subject coverage of the materials, types and forms of materials, selection of library materials, sources of purchase, and mode of payment for materials etc.
The absence of a functional collection development policy will place the library in a precarious situation, and such situation if not properly handled, will bring the library services to a near halt.1.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC LIBRARY NEKEDE OWERRI
The federal polytechnic library Nekede, owerri started in 1978 as the Imo state collage of technology, owerri. The Imo state of Nigeria Ediclet No. 16 of 1978 established the institution it took of at its temporary site of the premises of the government technical collage (G.T.C) owerri in the same year by Imo state Government Edict 6 of 1987 the of the institution was changed to the polytechnic Nekede, owerri following the take over of the institution by the federal government with effect from 1 June 1993, the institution name was changed again to the federal polytechnic library Nekede, owerri. The federal polytechnic library Nekede, is accommodated in one location, the ultramodern complex centrally located within the Campus. It is a two (2) storey building on the ground floor is the main circulation (lending) and reference section the photographic unit, bibliographic department, and the polytechnic librarian office the first floor houses books covering various programme in the two (2) schools of business and management technology and general studies.
This floor also accommodated the virtual library, the serial section, the library, conference room and the reading halls. On the second floor are books and document covering discipline in the school of engineering technology and general studies.
This floor also accommodated the virtual library, the serial selection the library conference room and the reading halls. On the second floor are books and documents covering discipline in the school of engineering technology and industrial sciences on the floor too are the project report room, the lecturers research/reading room which also houses past question papers and school curriculum hand books.
DEFINITION OF BASIC CONCEPT SERIALS
Alas glossary defines serials as publication issued successive part usually at regular intervals as a rule intended to be continued indefinitely. ACADEMIC LIBRARY: Academic libraries or libraries in institution of higher learning such as universities, polytechnics, colleges of technology, art and distinctive as the institution which they serve.
SERIAL MANAGEMENT: The management can be defined as the careful organization of all periodicals, annuals, proceedings, transaction of all print and non print materials.1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Collection development and its policy is one of the major factors that enhance the development of a library and its collection, but unfortunately, it is no longer given proper attention. Some of the libraries that claim to have collection development policy do not implement it, while in some libraries collection development policy is non-existence. This study is undertaken to identify problems hindering the implementation of collection development policy.1.4 AIMS OR PURPOSES
The aim of this is to fulfill the requirements of obtaining the ordinary national diploma certificate. The purpose of this includes:
1. To serve as a guideline to libraries for implementation of effective collection development policy and also to highlight its importance for libraries where this policy is non-existed.
2. To also guide students/researchers that may wish to carry out further research in this area of study.
Collection development policy: To make some thing that has been officially decided to start to happen or be used.
Effective: producing the result that is wanted or intended.
Growth: To increase in size, number, strength and quality.