Transforming Medical Libraries: Addressing Challenges in Resource Selection and Acquisition

Abstract

This study investigates the collection development policy of medical libraries, focusing on the challenges faced and strategies adopted for resource acquisition. It explores the issues encountered by medical library professionals in acquiring physical and electronic resources for medical college libraries. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire from libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K), and Balochistan, Pakistan. Findings show that medical libraries primarily rely on vendors-catalogs (71.43%) and faculty recommendations (66.67%) for resource selection. Tools like bibliographies (19.05%) and book fairs (14.29%) are underutilized, while electronic resource selection often involves the HEC Digital Library and publishers’ websites (57.14%). Major challenges include the high cost of resources (76.19%), limited network access (33.33%), and a shortage of qualified ICT staff (19.05%). The present paper is the first study to examine collection development and acquisition challenges in medical college libraries across KP, Balochistan, and AJ&K.