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Collection Development Policies:
Purpose of the Collection Development Policy
The collection and maintenance of learning
resources to support the instructional programs of the college is a primary function of
the library. The purpose of the Collection Development Statement is to give guidance and
provide a basis for building and maintaining a strong, balanced collection. It will enable
faculty to understand the criteria and procedures used for developing the collection and
provide the administration with a definitive plan of current acquisition polices so that
library needs can be clearly determined in budget and master planning for the campus.
As current curricular and research needs, formats, and users change, the policy must
change. Therefore, a periodic review of the policy must be done.
Objectives of the Library
1. To acquire and make accessible a collection of materials in varying formats to support the instructional programs of
the college.
This objective will be achieved by providing both course-related and research materials
for students and classroom instructional materials for faculty.
2. To create an
open and caring environment that encourages self-motivated and life-long
learning. This objective will be achieved through continuous improvement
processes (including assessment, planning, and implementation of needed
changes) and through professional development activities.
3. To
collaborate with faculty to teach students to use information resources
effectively to supplement their course instruction and their other information
needs, paying close attention to developing critical thinking skills. This will
include an information literacy program for all users to teach assessing,
searching, evaluating, and organizing skills for the practical use of
information.
4. To
keep users informed of new materials and services and to generally promote
library use among all patrons.
5. To provide materials,
when funding permits, to support the professional development and research needs
of faculty and staff and the general education needs of all citizen’s in the
college’s service area.
6. To encourage and cooperate in the development and use of networks, consortia, or systems
among area and state libraries for improved access and services to all patrons.
This will include the Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL) and any other library or
institution that can supply needed information.
Responsibility for Selection of Library Materials
The ultimate responsibility for determining whether requested materials conform with
the goals, qualitative guidelines, and policies presented in this document rests with the
Director of Library Services. First priority in the selection process will be given to
materials for student and faculty use in support of the college’s programs and
curriculum. Second priority will be given to materials for the professional development of
faculty and staff and third priority to materials for the general education and personal
enrichment of all citizens in the college’s service area.
1. Librarian’s Role
a) The Public Services Librarian will have primary responsibility for the overall
growth and development of the reference collection.
b) The Director of Library Services will have primary responsibility for the overall
growth and development of the general collection.
c) The Librarians will consider each item in light of the needs of the Library as a
whole. Reviewing tools, professional journals, reading lists, etc., will be used in the
selection process, and previewing of materials will be done whenever possible.
d) The Librarians will attempt to ensure that funds are spent equitably between
programs and disciplines.
e) The Librarians will seek input from faculty for the following:
1) Requested titles of materials in their discipline
2) Course reading lists
3) Course syllabi
f) The Librarians will seek input from students for materials needed to complete
assignments
2. Faculty’s Role
a) The Faculty should search the literature in their own discipline and request
materials, in appropriate formats, which they think would support students’ learning
and classroom teaching.
b. The Faculty should give input for purchase of materials whenever they are teaching a
new course to ensure adequate resources for the class.
c) The Faculty should provide the Library with any reading lists given to students to
make sure sufficient numbers are available to meet student needs.
d) The Faculty should provide the Library with syllabi for each class to guide
Librarians in selecting materials to support specific areas in the curriculum.
Criteria for Selection of Material
1. Accuracy: Are latest research and findings depicted accurately? Is material
up-to-date and timely?
2. Authority: Are authors qualified in the subject? Are they widely known? Will books
by them be in demand? Is the publisher known for high quality materials both in content
and format?
3. Level: Is the material written on a level that is understandable to students? Is it
too technical or too elementary?
4. Relevancy: Does the material support the curriculum? Or college teaching?
5. Demand: Is it an item that meets students’ interests as identified by reference
staff?
6. Breadth and Depth: Is there a scarcity of materials on the topic? Does it add to the
collection by representing one of various views on a controversial topic?
7. Cost: Does the potential use of the material justify its price? Are other equally
valuable materials available at a lower cost?
8. Format: Is it in a format that is most appropriate for the material?
9. Textbooks: Assigned textbooks will not be purchased by the Library, although some
could be in the collection by coincidence.
10. Multiple Copies: Multiple copies will be purchased only when special need can be
justified.
11. Reviews and Evaluations: Has the material received favorable reviews from
professional reviewers? Or been evaluated by faculty/staff using the procedures (See
Appendix A) established by the Library?
Faculty and Staff Research Materials
The Library will purchase materials for faculty and staff development, but will
carefully review materials that are highly specialized, excessively expensive, or
inappropriate for research or teaching of a community college curriculum or in
administering community college programs or services. The materials purchased should be of
more than temporary value, i.e. will be of value for longer than the life of the present
project. The same criteria used for selection of other materials will be used to evaluate
professional development materials. In cases where the material is not purchased, every
effort will be made to borrow the needed material through interlibrary loan services.
Gifts
The Library is happy to receive donations of books and other materials that will
enhance the collection. However, the Librarian reserves the right to accept or reject
gifts. Gift materials will be reviewed using the same criteria outlined under
"Criteria for the Selection of Materials." In addition, because past issues of
periodicals are kept in microfiche or digital format, seldom will issues in paper format
be accepted. Materials must be of such a nature that they can be integrated into the
existing collection, not requiring special facilities, controls, or staffing.
When contacted by a potential donor who has a large collection to donate, the donor may
be asked to provide a listing of the items in advance of the materials being brought to
the Library. The Library can then assess the titles and notify the donor which titles
would possibly be appropriate for the collection. Only items offered unconditionally may
be accepted.
Evaluation of the Collection
To assure a high quality, useful, and up-to-date collection, the Library will
periodically evaluate the collection for the elimination of obsolete and worn-out items
and to identify weak areas in the collection.. This evaluation requires the same adherence
to criteria as listed above as well as the following considerations when selecting items
for removal from the collection:
1. Inaccurate or obsolete information
2. Incomplete sets of books in which the continuity has not been maintained
3. Incomplete holdings of journals for which there is no indexing
4. Multiple copies of titles for which there is no longer need
5. Worn or badly marked or mutilated items
6. Superseded editions
7. Frequency and
recentness of past use
Regional and Local Materials
Materials on local and regional topics will be collected to support curriculum and
research needs. Emphasis will be on current topics and will include such items as reports
and documents from government agencies, statistical materials, college and CCS
information, and other items deemed helpful for research. They shall be housed in the
Vertical File and subject headings for those items will be indexed in the public access
catalog.
Reserve Collection
The Reserve Collection consists of either Library owned or Instructor owned items which
have been placed behind the circulation desk for limited use. Only students who are
enrolled in specific classes may check out reserve materials for the specified periods
requested by the Instructor. Procedures for placing items on reserve are as follows:
1. Only books, articles, audiovisuals, etc. that are required or optional for use in a
course currently being taught should be placed on reserve.
2. A reserve form (available at the circulation
desk or online on the Information for Faculty webpage) must be filled out
completely for each item placed on reserve. Copyright laws will be observed as noted on
the reserve form.
3. Reference materials may not be placed on reserve.
4. Materials from other libraries may not be placed on reserve (with the exception of
those placed on reserve by Western Kentucky University faculty or University of Kentucky
faculty who are currently teaching classes on the OCTC campuses).
5. Instructors’ materials will be processed with pockets and stickers unless
requested otherwise.
6. Library materials and photocopies will be withdrawn at the end of each semester.
Instructors’ materials will be withdrawn and returned to them at the end of each
semester unless otherwise instructed.
7. Textbooks may be placed on reserve only if they are not available in the bookstore
in sufficient quantities.
8. The Library will not be responsible for replacement of damaged or lost personal
copies placed on reserve.
9. Faculty must allow reasonable time for processing materials for reserve. Generally,
reserve materials should be received at least one week before the beginning of the
semester.
Reconsideration of Library Materials
In keeping with the concept of academic freedom, the collection development staff will
attempt to select materials presenting all sides of controversial issues. Procedures for
handling complaints include a form to be completed by the complaining party requesting
that the material be reconsidered. Forms are available at the circulation desk. No action
will be taken unless a signed form is submitted.
The form, along with the offending material, will be presented to the Instructional
Resources Committee who will consider the complaint. The committee will make a
recommendation to the President of the college who will make the final decision to retain
or withdraw the material. The complaining party will then be informed in writing of the
decision.
APPENDIX A
Preview and Purchase Procedures for Non-Print Materials
1. Material costing over $100 will be previewed before purchase.
2. Requests for preview must be given to the Director of Library Services with
sufficient information to place the request for preview.
3. When the material arrives, the originator of the request will be notified. A minimum
of two people will be required to evaluate the material using the form supplied by the
Library as a guide for possible purchase. When the material and evaluation forms are
returned, a final decision will be made by the Director. In making the final decision,
consideration will be based on cost in relation to the following:
A. Will the material be utilized only once or twice a year by the instructor or by
many?
B. Will the material become dated quickly?
C. If the material is expensive and will not receive heavy use, is it available for
rental?
4. The originator of the request will be notified of the decision to purchase or not to
purchase. If the material is purchased, he/she will be notified when it is available for
use.
APPENDIX B
As an agency of the Owensboro Community
and Technical College, the library supports the right of free
inquiry. To that end, the library endorses the American Library Association’s
"Library Bill of Rights."
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest,
information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin,
background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points
of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their
responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned
with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged
because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to
the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups
requesting their use.
Adopted June 18, 1948.
Amended February 2, 1961, and January 23, 1980,
inclusion of "age" reaffirmed January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council. |
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