Use of competitive intelligence in curriculum enhancement through collection development strategies in academic libraries

Abstract

The paper identified the growing use of competitive intelligence in many  organizations thereby emphasizing the need for academic libraries to adopt a similar pattern in its collection development process. The discourse summarized the concept of collection development as the process of planning and building library collection through a series of activities which includes selection, acquisition, and management of information resources. Curriculum is the bedrock of any institution. However, if it is not enhanced by the provision of quality information resources for teaching and research in academic libraries, it may become unpopular among  students and researchers. This may cause a reduction in student enrolment rate. It may also rank such institutions low among their counterparts. Therefore, academic libraries which play a pivotal role in curriculum enhancement should engage in strategic planning and collection of useful intelligence required to improve  institutional operations. Challenges encountered during collection development process in academic libraries were identified. They include; absence of a feasible policy, staff shortage in libraries, inadequate space for managing library collection and absence of a well-coordinated system for interlibrary cooperation. A workable policy should be formulated to revamp the entire collection development process. More personnel should be employed while professional librarians seek better ways of marketing library resources and services. More importantly, adequate funding for the purchase of both print and electronic resources should be provided to enrich library resources and increase curriculum enhancement in tertiary institutions.

Keywords: collection development, competitive intelligence, curriculum   enhancement, tertiary institutions, academic libraries, clienteles.