Acquisition of E-resources: Current library practices, strategies, and emerging trends

The acquisition of e-resources is a critical endeavour for libraries as they strive to meet the information needs of their users and support educational and research activities. This paper examines the ways in which libraries acquire e-resources and explores the selection criteria employed during the acquisition process. Various methods such as subscription-based databases, e-book collections, open access resources, institutional repositories, and collaborative initiatives are discussed. The selection criteria encompass aspects such as relevance to user needs, quality and authority of the resources, user experience and interface, licensing terms and usage rights, technical compatibility, cost-effectiveness, and the analysis of usage statistics and user feedback. By considering these criteria, libraries can make informed decisions to build comprehensive e-resource collections that align with their users' requirements and provide optimal access to valuable information. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of current library practices and strategies in the acquisition of e-resources, assisting libraries in effectively managing and expanding their digital collections.