Library Collection Development and its Social Responsibility: Case Study of Kanal Ilmu Library

Abstract

Library collection development is the process of identifying the strength and the weakness of a collection as well as concerning the needs of users, community sources and attempting to correct the existing weakness in a collection. This paper describes the Kanal Ilmu Library, which is in the process of developing its collection to serve the information needs of its population whom are special people in the context of Indonesian society. Kanal Ilmu Library’s objective is to educate homeless children, street cigarette sales kids, street singer kids and shoe-polishing kids, by providing a collection that meets the need of these kids. In order to understanding the goal of both the library and its users, librarians need to be proactive and appropriate in ascertaining their needs for information. The library needs to undertake in-depth-interview, participant observation and documents analysis in order to obtain the needed information for such patrons as they are so unique in manners and habits. This approach helps in the development of a realistic collection and a library which caters for grass root needs.