CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
A good collection of books is the main activity of each library. In order to develop a good collection, documents of various types and in different physical forms are to be produced. Therefore, selection and acquisition of legal materials are two different functions/activities being carried out in order to improve the quantity and quality of materials available in the law library. Selection of materials involves deciding which materials are to be acquired for a library. Anieke (2004) quoting spiller (1991) opines that selection means “evaluating and choosing materials to add to the library stock” in other word, it involves deciding what books and non-book materials to be purchased. However, Eze and Eze (2006) in an attempt to differentiate selection from acquisition rightly observe that many persons assume that selection and acquisition work are one and the same process. They posite that even though they are related, that acquisition is the process by which the library physically secures (through bringing gifts or exchange) the items that selection personnel has identified as desirable additions to the collection.
Apparently, the law library belongs to the category of special libraries. And Nnadozie (2007:86) observed that the collection of the special library reflects the subject interest of the sponsoring organization. He further asserts that the selection policies of special libraries are careful worded to ensure that the books and publications relating to the research preoccupation of the parent body are acquired.
According to Oduagwu (2002:70) selection must precede acquisition. He explains that what to select depends on the type of library since each library is interested in serving primarily its clientele which could be homogenous or heterogeneous. The believed that selection as the most important function of the acquisition department should be performed in a systematic ways.
Anyanwu, Zandet and Amadi (2006), sees acquisition as the process of obtaining library materials to satisfy the needs of the users. To the acquisition work as a means by which book and non-book materials are added to the library. They further explain that selection of library materials is important because literature explosion publication of many library materials as no library can purchase all the materials needed.
Because the legal researcher usually need to have the most up-to date version of the law, as well as to be certain that an approved applicable case has not been overused by a higher court, or that a status has not been amended, repealed or found to be unconstitutional. Selections of legal materials or publications becomes a necessity and rely on variety of means for regular supplementation and up-dating.
In selecting and acquiring of legal materials problems like poor communication service, poor management of the library vote, poor quality of locally published book, inarticulate collection development policy. etc. are encounters acquisition of legal materials, both primary source materials such as court reports, volumes of statutes, journals etc. and secondary sources of materials needs to be effectively and efficiently selected by qualified law librarians before procurement takes place.