Abstract

All public libraries are collection-based knowledge and cultural service institutions. To this end, a collection development policy is an essential and a strategic menu that every library should establish first. Regional central libraries should establish and apply optimal collection development policies to conduct the legal duties as knowledge and information centers and cooperative preservation facilities of the cities and provinces. Thus, this study analyzed and compared in detail the collection development guidelines (draft) and regulations of regional central libraries in Korea and the collection development policies of metropolitan public libraries abroad. Results showed that the policies of domestic regional central libraries were simply practical guidelines while those in most developed countries were substantial in format and content. All regional central library systems should establish and document collection development policies based on the importance of collection development, future-oriented thinking, and strategic decision. The study also suggested the basic principles and the format for this purpose.