Development of Library Resources

Abstract

Adequate area studies programs at institutions of higher education require the availability of books and other resource materials from and about the areas to be studied. Academic libraries traditionally have had responsibility for developing collections of resource materials, but their success in the past has been moderate. Following World War II, li braries have made intensive efforts, both individually and co operatively, to acquire significant materials from all foreign areas, but their collections are still not fully adequate for many areas, particularly the non-Western. A major cause of inadequacy has been insufficient funds, not only for the pur chase of materials, but also to support on-the-scene acquisitions and to hire staff with area and language competence. Federal programs in recent years have provided use of surplus foreign currencies—under Public Law 480, Eighty-third Congress— for major research libraries to acquire library materials in selected countries, and have also provided support under the National Defense Education Act. To develop adequate col lections of resource materials, however, further support is needed, as well as greater co-operative efforts among libraries and area studies groups.