Collection Development Policies
Collection development policies set the guidelines for criteria for collection. University, Public and Special libraries all possess particular collection development policies.
The following example presents a typical university collection development policy statment
University Academic Library's Collection Development Policy
The Library's collection policy is formulated to establish guidelines for the continuing development of exceptionally deep and expansive collections of materials which provide a foundation for the instructional mission of the university. To ensure that the Library continues to provide a rich milieu for resource-based learning and research into the foreseeable future, this tradition will be augmented by new and developing opportunities for access-based electronic information delivery. Explicit criteria for materials selection by subject are articulated in individual department and program collection policy statements. To foster the development of a coherent, flexible, and balanced collection, these individual statements will advance and adhere to the following goals:
1. Provide support for a dynamic, multi-disciplinary and diverse curriculum.
2. Provide substantial support for faculty research.
3. Provide support for the general academic interests of the College community.
Collection responsibility
Under the administration of the Director of the Library, who is ultimately responsible for the growth and maintenance of collections, the Faculty and the Library share in the responsibility for the development of the library collections through a collection program coordinated by the Head of Collection Development, the Serials Managment and Collection Development Committees, and Librarian Liaisons. In addition, students are encouraged to submit requests for materials and to point out lacunae. Requests are also received from the College community at large and are reviewed for appropriateness by the Library. Faculty, consulting with Librarian Liaisons, are responsible for the formulation and evolution of individual policy statements for their departments and programs, and bear the burden of responsibility for materials selection for their areas. .
Collection Development Committees
While administration of the College Library's Collection Development Policy is the responsibility of the Director of Libraries, final authority over formulation and interpretation of the Policy rests with the Library Committee. Additionally, two standing committees (Serials and Collection Development Academic) provide mechanisms for insuring equity, continuity, and flexibility in the collection program:
Formats and languages
The Library collects freely in materials in all culturally significant forms and formats as requested, including film (video), music, images, electronic media, maps, recorded oral materials, and, in certain cases, realia. The Library traditionally acquires books on acid-free paper when available. Back issues of newspapers are kept in microform for preservation purposes. Materials acquired are primarily in English. Additionally, materials are acquired in French with a preference for Quebecois French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew and Latin, and other languages, as appropriate for language, literature and cultural studies.
Selection of material
Materials are acquired by firm order, standing order, subscription, approval plan, deposit, lending and gift. Gifts are added in accordance with collection development policy guidelines. Collection Maintenance On an ongoing basis, evaluation, collection assessment and weeding will be done to preserve the quality, currency and strength of the collection.
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