A library collects various types of information materials. Generally, libraries collect books, newspapers, government publications, serials, pamphlets, and audio-visual materials. Audio-visual materials include audio cassettes, audiobooks, videos, and CDs. Apart from this, there are maps, globes, charts, etc., and microphone accessories. It is now being added to electronic materials and Internet resources. But still, most of the collection is done through library books and periodicals.
The acquisition of library collections is done through three types of materials, namely:
1. Purchase
2. Exchange
3. Gifts and Donation items
1. Purchase:
The purchase becomes a collection of principles. Books and other materials are generally purchased according to the nature, objectives, and readership needs of the library. Purchases are made as per library budget allocation.
2. Exchange:
Exchange usually refers to the process of exchanging various publications, such as annual reports, monographs, etc., in the library’s and institutions’ publications—reports, newspapers, periodicals, and research programs. Besides, in most cases, there is an exchange of papers for their publication with similar or other institutions. Exchange activities play a significant role in library collection building.
3. Gift or Donation:
Another significant process is the gift or donation of materials to the library. Many of the world’s most famous libraries have been enriched by private donations. Generally valuable books, rare manuscripts, important periodicals, and important publications of various kinds are given as donations or gifts, and these are welcomed. It should be mentioned here that scholars are considered valuable assets of the library. Donations and gifts of various kinds enriched the overall reception. Incidentally, it can be said that the American National Library’s “Library of Congress,” Great Britain’s “British Library,” India’s “Imperial Library,” etc. libraries have been enriched by different classes of people.
When gifts and donations are received and are not acceptable to the main collection, they are cataloged and sent to other equivalent librarians, and many librarians accept them as they need them. In many cases, unwanted gifts or donation items are sold at nominal prices. However, in this case, the consent of the library committee is required. Donations or gifts do not come to libraries regularly, so purchases are the main process for acquiring library collections. By which the collection is developed according to the rules and according to the target. Therefore, the purchase process is given importance in every library.
