Library Building FAU Libraries
Collection Development Policy
September 2008


Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Overview of the Collection
  3. Budget
  4. Policies by Type and Format of Materials
  5. Collection Maintenance
  6. Cooperative Development and Resource Sharing
  7. Sources

  1. INTRODUCTION

    1. Purpose
      The Collection Development Policy states the principles and guidelines that the Florida Atlantic University Libraries follow in the selection and acquisition of library materials. The purpose of the policy is to provide consistency among the persons responsible for collection development and to communicate library policy to faculty, staff, students, and the community. 

    2. Library Mission
      The Libraries select materials based upon their responsibility to the University as stated in the Library Mission Statement: "FAU Libraries promote the academic goals of the University by serving a uniquely diverse community through academic and personal development, discovery, lifelong learning, excellence, and innovation. The Libraries fulfill their mission by providing access to collections and services, building a rich resource of research materials, promoting a dynamic and multifaceted information literacy program, maintaining a dialogue with the scholarly community, developing creative programming, encouraging public engagement, and forming cultural alliances."

    3. Library Clientele
      Florida Atlantic University, a Carnegie-classified "Research University - High Research Activity" institution, serves a diverse community of users in Southeast Florida. Primary clientele of the Florida Atlantic University Libraries are the university’s students, faculty, and staff. Although geographically dispersed, the university campuses are academically, organizationally, and technologically integrated. Degree programs, including certificate, baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral programs, are offered at sites in Boca Raton, Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Harbor Branch, Jupiter, and the Treasure Coast.

      Additional clientele include the students, faculty, and staff of Palm Beach Community College South Campus, which contracts with Florida Atlantic University to provide library services; local and visiting university and college faculty, staff and students, and other researchers not affiliated with Florida Atlantic University; students of the FAU High School and other local high schools; clinical and research affiliates associated with the University of Miami Medical School at FAU, the Scripps Research Institute, the FAU Research & Development Park, and other partnerships that Florida Atlantic University may embark on in the future; and members of the general public.

    4. Intellectual Freedom
      The Libraries of Florida Atlantic University support the American Library Association’s Bill Of Rights, Freedom To Read Statement, and the American Film and Video Association’s Freedom to View Statement. The Libraries follow the “Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries.”  For this policy, the Libraries have adopted sections of the Library Bill of Rights applicable to collection development as approved by the ACRL Board of Directors. The general principles set forth in the Library Bill of Rights form an indispensable framework for building collections, services, and policies that serve the entire academic community.

      A strong intellectual freedom perspective is critical to the development of academic library collections and services that dispassionately meet the education and research needs of a college or university community. The purpose of this statement is to outline how and where intellectual freedom principles fit into an academic library setting, thereby raising consciousness of the intellectual freedom context within which academic librarians work. The following principles should be reflected in all relevant library policy documents.

      The development of library collections in support of an institution’s instruction and research programs should transcend the personal values of the selector. In the interests of research and learning, it is essential that collections contain materials representing a variety of perspectives on subjects that may be considered controversial. Preservation and replacement efforts should ensure that balance in library materials is maintained and that controversial materials are not removed from the collections through theft, loss, mutilation, or normal wear and tear. There should be alertness to efforts by special interest groups to bias a collection through systematic theft or mutilation.

      Any individual or group questioning the appropriateness of materials within the collection will be referred to the Dean of University Libraries. A service philosophy should be promoted that affords equal access to information for all in the academic community with no discrimination on the basis of race, values, gender, sexual orientation, cultural or ethnic background, physical or learning disability, economic status, religious beliefs, or ideologies. The Libraries acquire materials that represent differing opinions and without censorship in regard to controversial issues.

      The Libraries do not support filtering of computers because it is a needless form of censorship and an abridgement of information without a researcher’s knowledge. It is inappropriate in a research library environment.

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  2. OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

    1. Subject Areas and Collection Arrangement
      The primary subject areas collected are those that serve to support the instructional, research, and public service activities of the University community. The majority of materials are organized by the Library of Congress Classification System.

     

    1. Languages
      The main language of the collection is English. Foreign language materials are collected based on their relevance to University programs with a foreign language component. Additional criteria considered for acquisition of foreign language materials are their usefulness to the University community and the reputation of the work.

       

    2. Selection Responsibility
      Ultimate responsibility for the development and maintenance of the Libraries’ collection rests with the Dean of University Libraries.  The Dean’s authority for routine decisions is normally delegated to the Associate Director, under whose direction materials in specific subject areas are selected by designated librarians. For libraries at campuses where Florida Atlantic University is not the lead institution, selection policies will differ.

       

      1. Collection Development Review Committee
        The Collection Development Review Committee serves as an advisory panel on the selection of materials for the Florida Atlantic University Libraries.  The Committee works within the constraints of the Libraries’ budget and follows the guidelines established in the Collection Development Policy.

       

      1. Collection Development Unit
        The Collection Development Unit serves as the operational arm of the collection development program. The Collection Development Unit chooses materials in accordance with the curricular, research, and community needs of the University. Faculty are encouraged to suggest appropriate material for purchase, and each academic department is urged to designate a faculty member to serve as a library representative. These representatives facilitate communication between the academic departments and the Collection Development Unit.

    Suggestions for the purchase of specific titles may be submitted using the electronic Library Materials Suggestion Forms available on the Libraries’ web site. Requests for materials submitted by students, staff and non-affiliated users are reviewed by the Collection Development Unit. The timetable for ordering of library materials is as follows:

    • November 1: 50% of orders submitted to Acquisitions
    • February 1: 75% of orders submitted to Acquisitions
    • April 1: 100% of orders submitted to Acquisitions

    1. Specialized Acquisitions Considerations

      1. Gift Materials (FAU Libraries Gift Policy)
        Donations to the Libraries are accepted through the Florida Atlantic University Foundation. Gift materials are subject to the same criteria for addition to the collection as purchased materials. The Florida Atlantic University Libraries reserve the right to accept or reject gifts, with or without restricting conditions, and the right to dispose of unwanted gift material.

      2. Special Collections and University Archives
        The Special Collections & Archives department holds materials whose format, condition or monetary value renders them vulnerable to theft or damage in the open stacks, but whose intellectual content is valuable to instruction and research at FAU. Rare books, archives, personal papers, sheet music, photographs, and ephemera are included among these holdings. Descriptions of collections may be viewed at http://www.library.fau.edu/depts/spc/collist.htm. For further details, see Special Collections & Archives Collection Development Policy.

         

      3. Children’s Literature and Curriculum Collections
        The Children’s Literature and Curriculum Collections include elementary and secondary textbooks, curriculum guides, juvenile and young adult monographs, selected juvenile serials, and appropriate non-print media. The purpose of these collections is to support the programs of the College of Education. The Collection Development Unit is responsible for developing these collections in consultation with the College of Education. Current state-adopted textbooks and award-winning children’s books have highest priority for purchase.

      4. Reference Collection
        Reference collection development is the responsibility of the reference librarians and is coordinated by the Head of the Reference Department.  The collection is designed to meet the basic research, curricular, and information needs of the University community in all subject fields.  Reference resources of all types and formats, in all appropriate languages are selected in accordance with the criteria established for the selection of library materials.  The Reference Collection Development Policy should be consulted for more detailed guidelines.

      5. Government Publications
        The Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton Campus Library is a selective depository for Federal documents. The library is also a depository for State of Florida documents. In addition to curriculum and research needs, the information needs of citizens residing in the 19th Congressional District and the Florida Atlantic University service area are considered in selection of materials being surveyed for deposit and retention. The Government Documents Collection Development Policy should be consulted for more detailed guidelines.

      6. Reserve Materials
        The Reserve Collection consists of a temporary collection of materials that are purchased, copied, or gathered from existing holdings, to provide limited loan periods and maximum access to clientele to support the direct needs of course instruction. The collection includes documents in print and electronic formats. The Reserve Collection is also the permanent location for some Reference and Government Documents which require monitoring due to heavy use or threat of vandalism. The number of photocopies of articles, pages from books, and other material provided by the Libraries for the Reserve Collection shall not exceed the fair use limits as specified by the library reserve policy and current copyright law. Permission to copy in excess of fair use must be obtained by the library as cited in the Copyright Law of the United States, 17 USC 108. Materials owned by faculty are also held within the Reserve Collection. See FAU Libraries Course Reserve Policy

      7. Electronic Materials
        Electronic Resources are collected to support the basic instructional, research and information needs of the University. These include, but are not limited to, electronic serials or collections of serials; online bibliographic or numeric databases; electronic reference materials; electronic monographs or collections of monographs. Traditional selection criteria apply to electronic resources. However, due to the unique nature of electronic resources, special criteria need also be applied. See Electronic Resources Collection Policy.

      8. Digital Materials
        The Digital Library seeks to create a collection of specialized digitized materials by collaborating with Florida Atlantic University faculty, staff, and students, as well as with local, regional, and state partners. This collection supports the teaching, research, and service activities of the university.

      9. Judaica Sound Archives
        The Judaica Sound Archives (JSA) accepts any recording of Jewish music, recordings that reflect Jewish culture including: cantorial, Yiddish, Hebrew, comedy, theater, klezmer, Chassidic, Israeli, Sephardic, and songs for children. The JSA also accepts recordings of music by Jewish performers, composers and conductors, even if the content is NOT Jewish.

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  3. BUDGET

    The materials budget supports the purchase of all formats designated in the collection development policy. The budget supports expenditures for the following:

    • Approval plans, firm orders, and continuing resources to the extent that funding is available, with first consideration given to continuing obligations;
    • Cooperative programs with other libraries;
    • Access to and preservation of purchased and donated library materials;
    • Membership in consortia, bibliographic access charges; and
    • Binding of serials, monographs, and other formats as necessary.

    The budget is administered by the Assistant Director for Technical Services in consultation with the Dean of University Libraries.

    The materials budget is allocated according to available funds and established institutional priorities. Expenditures are tracked by the assignment of fund codes and class codes within established expenditure categories. The extent of tracking is dependent upon the limitations of the library management system of the State University Libraries (SUL) and staffing levels within Technical Services. The Acquisitions staff is responsible for placing all orders for library materials, recording the receipt of materials, processing invoices and credit memos, and claiming materials not received.

    The Acquisitions staff also handles orders, payments and receipt of library materials funded by outside funding, such as Foundation or grant funds, and provides the tracking of expenditures dependent upon system constraints, staffing limitations, and cooperation from any outside agency involved. Unsolicited materials that are received with invoices will not be accepted and will be disposed of or returned, if the vendor will provide return postage. Materials received without invoices will be routed to Assistant Director for Technical Services.

    Out-of-print materials are acquired as necessary.

    See Procedures for Purchasing Library Materials.

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  4. POLICIES BY TYPE AND FORMAT OF MATERIALS

    Note on Multiple Copies
    Only one copy of an edition and format of a title is normally acquired among the following three partner campus libraries: Boca Raton, Jupiter, and the Treasure Coast. Exceptions may be made for heavily used items. Requests for the purchase of multiple copies are reviewed on an individual basis. This applies to the types of materials listed below in A-K.

     

    Note on Electronic Formats
    Electronic formats are acquired with priority given to curriculum and research support. Electronic products include but are not limited to the following: Internet resources, compact disks, and DVDs.

    Types of Materials Collected

    1. Audio-Visual Materials
      Audio-visual materials are acquired with priority given to curriculum and research support. Considerations of suitability of format, quality of production, availability of equipment, and facilities assist in the selection.
    1. Books, Monographs
      Monographs are acquired with first priority given to supporting the curriculum. The most readily available format for monographs is acquired. Sets are acquired by the libraries in support of the curriculum and based on availability of funds. More books are acquired in print format, but the Libraries also purchase electronic books when appropriate.  For information on microforms, see G. Microforms.
  1. Children's Books
    The Libraries acquire children’s books on a selective basis in support of the curriculum. First priority is given to acquiring award-winning children’s books.
  1. Dissertations, Theses
    The Libraries collect copies of all dissertations and theses completed at the University. Dissertations and theses completed outside of the University are available through the Libraries' subscription to ProQuest Dissertations and Theses or Interlibrary Loan. Some international dissertations and theses are available through the Libraries' membership in the Center for Research Libraries. Beginning in Fall 2008, students at Florida Atlantic University will submit dissertations and theses electronically.  These are made available via Digital Collections @ FAU Libraries.
  1. Rare Books and Manuscripts
    The Libraries do not actively acquire rare books and manuscripts. Those acquired would be in support of the instructional and research programs of the university. Those received as gifts are evaluated for retention in the collection with consideration given to special housing, care, access, security, and environment.
  1. Textbooks
    The Libraries acquire selected Florida elementary and secondary school textbooks for the Curriculum Collection. Current course textbooks are not acquired routinely. Other textbooks are not acquired unless they are considered as definitive sources in the subject area. Exceptions are considered at the request of an instructor depending on the availability of funds. Requests for the purchase of textbooks are reviewed on an individual basis.
  1. Serials, Journals, and Newspapers
    Electronic access is the preferred format for serials, journals, and newspapers when available. The Libraries are committed to acquiring complete holdings for serial and journal titles to which the library subscribes when affordable. Current print newspapers are acquired on a highly selective basis. Emphasis is placed on local newspapers. Access to major and regional U.S. and select international newspapers is provided electronically. Priority is given to newspapers which are indexed. For information on microforms, see G. Microforms.

  1. Computer Software
    Computer software is acquired selectively. Considerations in selection include availability on the university campus network, individual needs of faculty, curriculum, quality of production, availability of equipment, facilities, and technical support.

  1. Looseleaf Materials
    The Libraries subscribe to looseleaf services in select areas that support the curriculum. In the selection and continuation of looseleaf services, maintenance and availability in other formats are primary considerations. Looseleaf materials are collected only if alternative formats are unavailable.
  1. Maps
    Maps, atlases, globes and charts are purchased selectively. The Government Documents Collection regularly receives maps on a selective basis from the U.S. Government Printing Office and from the State Library of Florida as part of the respective depository programs. The Government Documents Department also purchases travel maps in support of the International Travel Maps Collection.
  1. Microforms
    Monographs in microform are acquired selectively. Specialized microform collections are purchased in support of the curriculum or as an enhancement to the existing collection. Serial and newspaper microforms are acquired with regard to the existing collection and with regard to space, availability of alternative formats, price, and use.
  1. Musical Scores
    Musical scores are acquired selectively as needed in support of the curriculum and upon specific request of an instructor.
  1. Pamphlets, Broadsides
    Pamphlets and broadsides are acquired on a selective basis in support of the curriculum and upon specific request of an instructor.
  1. Reprints
    Reprints are acquired only on a highly selective basis.

 

Types of Materials Not Collected

  1. Annual Reports, College Catalogs, Telephone Books
    The Libraries do not acquire company annual reports, college catalogs, or telephone books because these materials are available without charge on the Internet.

  1. Realia, Memorabilia, Ephemera
    The Libraries do not collect realia, memorabilia (e.g., rocks, fossils, coins, stamps, shells, pennants, pins, etc.) or ephemera (e.g., bookmarks, calendars, etc.).

  1. Toys, Games
    The Libraries do not collect toys and games.

  1. Spiral Bound Publications
    The Libraries do not acquire spiral bound publications. Exceptions are made based on subject material and at the request of an instructor with consideration given to expected use, lasting value, and content. Commercial rebinding of acquired spiral bound materials will be considered on an individual basis.

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  1. COLLECTION MAINTENANCE

    Weeding or deselection, preservation and conservation, and replacement are all important aspects of collection maintenance and evaluation. Responsibility and authority for the preceding activities are shared by the Associate Director and the Assistant Director for Technical Services.

    1. Deselection or Weeding
      Deselection or weeding is an essential, continuing library practice in which materials are removed permanently from the Libraries’ collections. Whenever possible, both faculty and library staff participate in the weeding process to ensure that publications of historical or research significance are not discarded.

    2. Preservation and Conservation
      Preservation is the activity to prevent, eliminate, or retard deterioration of library materials, as well as to improve their condition or to change their format as necessary in order to preserve the intellectual content. The Libraries endeavor to protect the physical integrity of materials in the collection through conservation measures, such as temperature, humidity and dust control. Where preservation of content is more important than the retention of the physical format, items are preserved by binding, microreproduction, or the acquisition of microforms or electronic versions.

    1. Replacements
      Materials in various formats that are missing, lost or withdrawn are not automatically replaced. Potential replacements are evaluated using the same criteria for selection as regularly purchased items. Depending on the availability of funds, heavily used materials, determined to be necessary for teaching and research, will be replaced as quickly as possible, if the materials are available.

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  2. COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE SHARING

    The Libraries cooperate in the purchase or leasing of library materials with State University Libraries and other library cooperative arrangements when possible. The Libraries share in the development of digital library cooperative programs such as the SUL Publication of Archival Library & Museum Initiatives (PALMM), including the Florida Heritage Collection. In an age of developing information technologies, resource sharing activities are reviewed on a continuing basis.

    The Libraries participate in national, regional and statewide resource sharing programs. As a member of OCLC, SOLINET, the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN), and the Florida Library Information Network (FLIN), the Libraries share their resources free of charge with other member libraries through interlibrary loan and reciprocal borrowing agreements. The Florida Atlantic University Libraries maintain an associate membership in the Center for Research Libraries (CRL). The Center provides access to a large collection of rarely held research materials which can be obtained through interlibrary loan and document delivery technology.

     

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  3. SOURCES

    Academic programs. (2008). Retrieved August 6, 2008, from Florida Atlantic University Web site: http://www.fau.edu/universitycatalog/pdf_0809/CombDegreeProg.pdf

    Collection development policy: The reference collection. (2007, March 1). Retrieved August 6, 2008, from Florida Atlantic University Web site: http://www.library.fau.edu/policies/pubpol/refpol.htm

    Collection development policy, appendix M: Federal documents. (2006, March 7).  Retrieved August 6, 2008, from Florida Atlantic University Web site: http://www.library.fau.edu/policies/cd_fed.htm

    Copyright law of the United States. 17 USC (2007). Retrieved August 6, 2008, from  U.S. Copyright Office Web site: http://www.loc.gov/copyright/title17/

    Explore FAU History. (2008). Retrieved August 6, 2008, from Florida Atlantic University Web site: http://www.fau.edu/explore/history.php

    Florida administrative code ann. 6C5-7.002 (2004). Retrieved November 15, 2004, from Florida Department of State Division of Elections Web site: http://www.flrules.org/

    Gifts and donations policy. (2007, March 1) . Retrieved August 6, 2008, from Florida Atlantic University Web site: http://www.library.fau.edu/policies/pubpol/giftspol.htm

    Intellectual freedom principles for academic libraries. (2000, July 12). Retrieved November 15, 2004, from http://www.ala.org/template.cfm?Section=interpretations&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=76535

    Library bill of rights. (1996, January 23). Retrieved November 15, 2004, from http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/librarybillrights.cfm

    Policy statement on individuals with disabilities. (2008, June 10). Retrieved August 6, 2008 from Florida Atlantic Universities Web site: http://www.library.fau.edu/geninfo/adaserv.htm

    The freedom to read statement. (2004, June 30). Retrieved August 6, 2008, from http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement.cfm

    The freedom to view statement. (1990, January 10). Retrieved August 6, 2008 from http://www.ala.org/ala/vrt/pubguidelines/freedomviewstatement.cfm

    Special collections and archives. (2008, May 9). Retrieved August 6, 2008, from Florida Atlantic University Web site: http://www.library.fau.edu/depts/spc/special.htm

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