To
inform regarding the nature and scope of the collection.
To
communicate collecting priorities.
To
force addressing organizational goals to be met by the collection.
To
generate some degree of commitment to meeting organizational goals.
To
set standards for inclusion and exclusion of library materials.
To
reduce the influence of a single selector and personal biases.
To
provide a training/orientation tool for new staff.
To
help ensure a degree of consistency over time and in the face of staff
turnover.
To
guide staff in handling complaints.
To
aid in weeding and evaluating the collection.
To
assist in rationalizing budget allocations.
To
provide a means of assessing the overall performance of the collection
development program.
To
provide outsiders with information regarding the purpos of collection development;
i.e., an
accountability tool.
To
act as a useful means of communication with the patron.
