Collections have long been the measure of an academic library.
The number of books and quality of materials on our shelves have helped to establish not only the IU Libraries, but also the university itself. They have been instrumental in creating knowledge, attracting faculty, and serving students.
And yet, collections today are not so easily defined.
They include licensed databases we pay for but do not own, electronic surrogates of print materials housed at partner institutions, and huge sets of research data that continue to grow. Many students now believe that information only exists online.
As libraries change, so does our definition of collections. Although we value them perhaps more than ever, they are very different from what they once were.
What is a Collection?
Carolyn Walters
Interim Ruth Lilly Dean of University Libraries
What is a Collection? It's not just books.
