Acquisition Policy

Purpose

The purpose of the acquisition policy is to serve as a reference for the library staff to follow when assessing potential acquisitions for the library collections, including print, non-print materials, electronic and other resources.  The acquisition policy also includes guidelines for the acceptance and processing of gift resources.

Mission

The mission of the acquisition policy is to ensure that the selection of library resources support the educational needs of the students, faculty, administration and staff of the college.

 Objectives

The library supports the mission of the College by providing library and learning resources in print, non-print and electronic formats through the following criteria:

• Curricular (academic, technical, vocational) needs of the students
   and teaching faculty
• Development of life skills and life long learning
• General and cultural needs of students, faculty, administration, staff
   and the community

 Acquisition / Selection Responsibility

 The primary responsibility for the selection of library resources is with the librarians under the direction of the Head Librarian.  The selection / acquisition process is a joint effort among faculty members and the librarians.  Faculty, staff, administration and students are encouraged to make recommendations for the collection.  The teaching faculty serve as subject specialists for their respective disciplines and are encouraged to assess the adequacy of resources, including participating in the weeding / deselection process of resources.

Selection Guidelines

The library acquires print materials (books, periodicals, pamphlets, maps, etc.), audiovisuals materials (microforms, audiocassettes, videocassettes, DVD, etc.) and electronic resources.  The library acknowledges the continuous change and evolving process of information technologies and is open to new formats that support the mission of the library / college.

 Criteria for Selection Evaluation

• Reviews from authoritative sources and selection aids
• Recommendations from faculty
• Recommendations from students, staff, administration
• Relevance to the curriculum
• Adequacy of current holdings
• Availability of resources from other sources
• Relevance to professional growth
• Historical / cultural value
• Level of interest for faculty and students
• Cost

Resources not normally purchased

• Textbooks
• Highly technical resources
• Paperbacks with the following exceptions
• Only format available and the title is needed to support the curriculum
• Needed for a limited time frame to support a specific program

Copyright Compliance

The library makes every effort to comply with the Copyright laws when acquiring or duplicating resources.  A copy of the Copyright Laws is available with this policy, at the Circulation Desk of Burton Library and an abbreviated version via the library web page.

Donation / Gift Policy

See the donation / gift policy.