University Libraries: Faculty Publications

Collection Development Policies From Academic Libraries in Ghana Under Address Electronic Resource Management Elements

Document Type

Book Review

Publication Date

6-12-2026

Publication Title

Evidence Based Library and Information Practice

DOI

10.18438/eblip31030

Abstract

A Review of:

Bentil, W. (2025). Analysis of collection development policies for electronic resources at selected academic libraries in Ghana. Collection Management, 50(1/2), 75–89. https://doi.org./10.1080/01462679.2025.2497833

Objective – To examine the extent that collection development policies in selected academic libraries in Ghana address the management of electronic resources.

Design – Qualitative content analysis.

Setting – Public and private academic libraries in Ghana.

Subjects – Collection development policy documents from 3 academic libraries (1 public, 2 private).

Methods – Print copies of collection development policies were analyzed using a deductive content analysis approach. An established evaluation tool (Mangrum & Pozzebon, 2012) with 36 elements from 9 criteria was used. Each policy was read twice. The presence of each element was recorded as one point and the absence was recorded as zero points to assess scope of coverage.

Main Results – None of the analyzed policies adequately addressed electronic resource collection development. Content-related criteria were most frequently included, particularly academic need and scope. Criteria related to access, cost, usability, and licensing from a user perspective were minimally addressed. No policies included guidance on responsible parties or licensing from a library management perspective. Overall coverage of evaluation criteria ranged from 16.7% to 38.9%, with the public institution demonstrating higher coverage than the private institutions.

Conclusion – The study concludes that collection development policies from the sampled Ghanaian academic libraries are incomplete for effective electronic resource management. The authors suggest that libraries revise policies to incorporate comprehensive electronic resource lifecycle elements to support consistent practice, accountability, and informed decision-making.

Comments

Georgia Southern University faculty member, Alyshia Bagley authored "Collection Development Policies From Academic Libraries in Ghana Under Address Electronic Resource Management Elements."

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