Back to basics: international collection development on a shoestring

Purpose - This article aims to explore collection development for small libraries facing an extremely restricted budget, with an additional focus on international school libraries.Design methodology approach - Drawing on the author's experience as a professional consultant for Oasis International School, Ankara, Turkey, this case study provides collection development advice, tips for librarians interested in volunteering or international travel, and a literature review.Findings - An extremely restricted budget and the complexities of an international environment need not prevent libraries from taking steps towards improving their collection. Strategies include: seeking targeted donations from publishers, granting organizations, individuals, and others; intelligently exploiting non-targeted donations; utilizing volunteers; carefully balancing preservation and access; and implementing a basic inventory circulation system.Research limitations implications - Similar case studies undertaken at other libraries would add to the sparse literature on restricted budget and international school library collection development.Practical implications - International and domestic school libraries facing a restricted budget will gain concrete advice on collection development. Librarians interested in volunteering or international librarianship will find practical guidance.Originality value - This article fills a gap in library scholarship by focusing on collection development issues facing international school libraries with an extremely restricted budget.