Policies - Collection Development

Traditionally, libraries have collected material based on the criteria listed below. The selectors made decisions based on anticipated need. This is still true for the Camden-Carroll Library, but it is no longer the sole collection method. Much that has been collected in this manner still gets used, as many books from this method show circulation statistics.

In an effort to be responsive to the changes in the publication industry, technology, and budgetary constraints, the library has elected to primarily focus the materials budget on the “just in time” model of acquisitions.

This model builds the collection by utilizing patron requests for materials. This can take the form of an eBook that has been viewed often, an interlibrary loan request, or a suggestion in the suggestion form. This model focuses on acquiring material based on need, rather than predicated need.

This model builds the collection by utilizing patron requests for materials. This can take the form of an eBook that has been viewed often, an interlibrary loan request, or a suggestion in the suggestion form. This model focuses on acquiring material based on need, rather than predicated need.

Library collections are managed by Librarian Liaisons and the Library Dean. Librarian Liaisons serve academic departments by assessing the existing subject collection, determining unmet needs, responding to faculty requests for added resources, providing outreach about library services, and contributing to database selection decisions.

The Library Dean controls the budget and determines the allotment of resources per subject area. The allotment purchases resources in a variety of format to support curricula. Librarian Liaisons approve purchases for their area based on the criteria listed in the next section. See Criteria

• Value
  • Projected Value
    • Assessment of community demographics will aid Librarian Liaisons in determining the predicted need of the item.
  • Quality of Scholarship (reliability)
    • Selectors evaluate the resource for factual information, citations, and links.
  • Uniqueness
    • Uniqueness can play a role in selecting material. Uncovered subjects can aid in adhering to goals of intellectual freedom and diversity in the library.
  • Currency
    • The material is up to date. 
  • Physical Condition
    • The item must be in excellent condition and is not made of low-quality material.
  • Authoritativeness 
    • The creator of content should be notable in their field with favorable authority.
  • Scope
    • The resource should be of proper depth for the audience in which it is directed.

Uniqueness can play a role in selecting material. Uncovered subjects can aid in adhering to goals of intellectual freedom and diversity in the library.

The material is up to date.

The item must be in excellent condition and is not made of low-quality material.

The creator of content should be notable in their field with favorable authority.

Hardback books are favored over paperback. EBooks are preferred for subjects primarily taught online and print books are preferred overall.

New selections should be purchased in the latest form of technology that is most accessible to the maximum number of people. Exceptions may be made for archival material.

ProQuest’s Dissertations and Theses houses new and archived items. Print copies are still retained.

The Camden-Carroll Library is a state repository and retains selected state government resources. New additions are added frequently and documents older than five calendar years are deselected.

Duplicates may be purchased if the item is in high demand and has particular cultural relevance.

Cost is a consideration due to ongoing budget constraints.

Although one of the library’s primary goals is to reflect the society in which we currently live, retrospective collection development is sometimes necessary to bridge the gap in subjects. Therefore, the library will collect old information resources, as well as new.

The library primarily collects print books and electronic serials. However, for distance learning courses, electronic materials are collected to enable easy accessibility.

English is the primary language of the library’s collections, yet non-English language material will be purchased as requested and as appropriate for the subject area. The library reflects the community, so as the demographics change the library will accommodate such changes.

When information is provided as to the publication status of those in the academic community, the library will respond with a purchase to be included in the collection. ⁶

Adding items to the collection must be balanced with removal. Digital items are less space restrictive and are therefore given preference. For removal procedures and criteria, see 1.06 deselection.

eBooks are preferred to be free from Digital Rights Management protections and allow downloads and printing.

When possible, preference is given to the unlimited access model. This model allows multiple users simultaneously, without restriction. Other models are considered if necessary.

Patrons with a university ID and password should be able to access electronic services from computers outside of the designated IP address range. Users within the IP range are automatically able to access electronic materials. 

COUNTER 5 usage standards are preferred but cannot be guaranteed.

Many excellent and important materials are added to the collection as gifts. Books and other materials are accepted only if the library does not already have a copy. The library may dispose of gifts if they fail to make a worthwhile addition to the collection. All gift books added to the collection or purchased with money given to the library are incorporated within the library’s general collection. Book plates will be placed in gift books upon the request of the donor. Gifts of rare books are placed in the Special Collections when appropriate. The Camden-Carroll Library will not be responsible for the donor’s monetary valuation statement for tax for other purposes.

Unaccepted donations will be donated to local community centers, thrown away, or recycled.

General collections are maintained by the stacks maintenance department and Librarian Liaisons. Missing items will be reported to the department head and staff will make every effort to locate missing material. However, should the material not be found, the item will be reevaluated for purchase using the existing collection development criteria.

Items that are beyond in-house repair will be discarded. Should the item have historical or cultural value, the University Archivist will decide if it will be kept in that collection.

The item has low usage and is older than five years. The range of currency is defined primarily by subject matter. Criteria for deselection by usage can be determined by the Librarian Liaison for the subject area.

The condition is beyond the help of in-house repair.

The item has fallen out of popularity and usage indicates that only one copy is needed.

If the resource is a single volume in a set and has little value outside of the context of the set, it should be removed.

Should the item prove to be unique or has value in its rarity, it maybe be kept and placed in special collections as decided on by the University Archivist.