Personal Archives in the Library of the University of Botswana

Abstract

The 1998 University of Botswana Collection Development Policy compiled by J.O. Asamani, the then Acquisitions Coordinator, is explicit on materials generated through purchase. It is also clear on acceptance of gifts and donations. The policy was not specific on the collection of private archives even though it did not sanction the function. The whole process of collection development has since been narrowly confined to published collections and papers that are either published in journals or those that have been presented at workshops and conferences. It is the view of the present paper that for the sake of the interested user it is important for the collection development policy to stretch beyond published material.The University of Botswana library has been in existence since 1971. The UB Library system consists of the main library on the Gaborone Campus and three branch libraries.