To what degree is an academic library a collection of tangible items kept in a particular place?
How does the present model for tenure and promotion at research universities impact collection development and managment? Is it likely that this model will change?
Is it likely that the hard copy book will be replaced by a digital version? What impact does information technology have on book collections?
In many academic disciplines and some professions, publication is urgent because of the need to stake a claim to an original research area. Later this research my result in intellectual property that can be sold for substantial amounts. What do you see as the assets and liabilities of book, monograph, publication versus publication, in a scholarly periodical?
Given the continuing increase in the cost of serial publications, many libraries are reducing the amount of money spent on books. What difference might this make?
Are academic libary users likely to prefer books or serials? Why?
One of the notable trends in the past few decades, has been for more scholarly periodicals to be published by for-profit publishers rather than non-profit scholarly associations or organizations. Can anything be done about this?
Some believe that academic research libraries have no choice but to subscribe to well-received periodicals regardless of their price. Obviously, each serial title is unique, but are there no alternatives?
What might you do as an academic library administrator when your scholarly periodicals increase in cost at 11 percent per year but your collection development budget goes up but 2 percent per year?
What happens if most academic libraries cut back to a core collection of standard titles?
What do you believe is reponsible for the serials pricing crisis? What might be done about it?
Many academic libraries have filled their space or will soon do so. How likely is it that a new library will be built or new additions to accomodate more materials? Alternatives for the "full" collection?
Why is it more difficult than ever before for the academic library to receive a new building? What might be done to counter this?
What are the assets and liabilities of storage collections for less frequently used materials?
What do you see as the major differences in collection development for the different types of academic libraries?
With decreased monies for collection development, more academic libraries are moving from "just in case" to "just in time" collection development. What are the assets and liabilities of each approach?
If academic libraries are designed to meet user needs and if faculty are subject specialists familiar with both likely use and the literature, should not academic faculty develop the collections? Why?
When is it appropriate to select materials in a batch mode (approval plans or standing ordrs) rather than one by one?
Can you discuss some of the assets and liabilities associated with resource-sharing, including cooperative collection development?
To what degree is "use" important in an academic library?
To what degree to academic library users seek a "known item"? What difference does this make?
