Library Collection Development (Policy OG-29)

Policy:

The Clarkson College Library collection shall include a broad range of sources, in various formats, required for the support of clinical, educational, research and administrative needs of the Clarkson College community as driven by the academic programs and the mission and goals of the institution.

Selection of Materials

The Director of Library & Academic Support Services has the overall responsibility for the development of library collections. The Director of the Library & Academic Support Services will use the subject expertise of faculty, input from library staff, professional and organizational recommendations, budgetary considerations, and patron recommendations when selecting materials. Accuracy, authority, appropriateness, currency, and budget will be determining factors.

Deselection of Materials

Regular removal of outdated, non-relevant, damaged, and duplicate materials helps the library maintain an up-to-date selection. Prior to the removal of an item, consultation with faculty will occur to ensure no needed and essential items are removed.

Criteria for Deselection Consideration

  1. Lack of circulation – Item has low usage within a given time frame, depending on subject discipline.
  2. Duplication – May include duplication by other formats and editions, in particular, print journals now available online. Multiple copies of monographs are kept only where there is a high demand.
  3. Superseded by more recent editions – The newer editions must incorporate important information from earlier editions.
  4. Date of publication – For example, materials lacking historical or other research value or ephemeral materials that are not easily accessed or bound.
  5. Accuracy of content – Materials containing inaccurate data or facts or outdated materials within a specific subject discipline.
  6. Physical condition/format – Poor physical condition or damaged beyond usefulness; poor bound volumes; or obsolete physical format.
  7. Missing or Lost – Materials’ records should not be suppressed from public view until such time that the materials are replaced or deemed unworthy of replacement by Library staff. At that point, records for these materials that have been replaced or deselected should be suppressed.
  8. Change or elimination of an academic program, therefore no longer supporting a program need.

Procedure:

On-going Maintenance

  1. As new editions are purchased, one prior previous edition will be maintained.
  2. Items in poor condition that cannot be repaired may be removed, and a replacement considered.
  3. Obsolete formats no longer supported by College technology.
  4. Items that are declared lost.

Scheduled Purging Procedure

Purging will occur on both an ongoing and project basis. For large-scale purging projects, the following steps will be taken:

  1. Library staff identify items for removal based on project need.
  2. Analyze circulation usage statistics for items.
  3. Utilize the MUSTIE Factors for each item.

https://www.tsl.texas.gov/sites/default/files/public/tslac/ld/ld/pubs/crew/crewmethod12.pdf

M

Misleading

Purge outdated editions and books that are no longer accurate. Please pay special attention to areas where information has changed recently or where it changes rapidly.

U

Ugly

Consider the condition of the item

S

Superseded

Replaced by a truly new edition or by a much better book on the subject. Especially for reference materials, test guides, and drug manuals.

T

Trivial

Of no discernible literary or scientific merit, usually of ephemeral interest at some time in the past. Purge older titles that were of fleeting interest or popular culture.

I

Irrelevant

To the needs and interests of your community. Even e-books should be expected to circulate or be used online at least once every few years.

E

Elsewhere Available

Consider the historical significance and uniqueness of the item in the collection.

 

  1. After circulation and MUSTIE criteria have been examined, consult faculty to review items chosen for removal to ensure no needed items are removed.

Gift Materials

The Director of Library & Academic Support Services will accept donated items only if appropriate for the collection. The Director of Library & Academic Support Services will determine if the donated item is appropriate for inclusion in the collection and retains the right to donate or dispose of materials that do not meet collection criteria. All donations are considered unconditional gifts to be used at the library’s discretion.
Academic Policies and Procedures