Taking the Guess Work out of Collection Development: Using Syllabi for a User-Centered Collection Development Method

Abstract

Over the course of a year, 98 syllabi were collected from history, English, philosophy, religion and foreign literatures and languages departments at a large university in the Southeast. The syllabi were analyzed for potential additions to the print collection. In addition to the syllabus study, a survey was conducted of all faculty in those departments to establish their views towards syllabi and the library’s place in providing access to items on syllabi.