ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the context by scanning the environment; highlights the shifts in collection resources, follow that by looking at the bibliographer’s role in this world, and also looks at how we move to the next world. It identifies the critical issues as: the access vs. ownership debate, restricted resource budgets, changing management strategies to maximize those budgets, and the impact of information technology. The costs of information access and delivery and the competition for collection dollars have taken the debate to a new level. One of the factors that changes the nature of research collections is the availability of a vast array of information resources. The complexity of the issue of electronic resources requires that the university and the library recognize the importance of funding for the information infrastructure. In moving to take advantage of resource sharing opportunities, the concept of cooperative collection development and resource sharing is essential and takes on new meaning.
