I. Introduction
The mission of the library’s collection development program is
to provide the resources necessary to meet the curricular needs of the
educational programs offered by Eastern Michigan University and the informational
needs of the University’s students, faculty, and staff. Materials
in all formats are selected and acquired in consultation with the teaching
faculty. The collection development program is supplemented by gaining
access to materials owned by other libraries through interlibrary loan.
The first priority for collection development is the acquisition of materials
that support Eastern Michigan University’s curriculum, particularly
undergraduate programs and high-enrollment graduate programs. The second
priority is the acquisition of finding tools such as indexes and abstracts,
preferably in electronic format, which point the researcher to texts
owned or subscribed by the library already, or may be borrowed from other
libraries.
The library adheres to the American Library Association’s policy
statement on intellectual freedom, the Library Bill of Rights. It defends
the library’s right to shelve and circulate materials representing
all points of view to all people regardless of race, religion, age, national
origin, or social and political views.
The library also supports the assertion that intellectual property and
copyright arrangements must protect the public’s right to fair
use along with the creator’s right to fair compensation.
II. Funding
Target expenditures for the total acquisitions budget are developed
by the library to ensure balanced growth of the collections. In providing
for collection growth, the inflation rates of book and periodical prices
are reflected in the allocations. Every consideration will be taken to
ensure equity in the expenditure of funds for library materials in the
various subject disciplines. Among the quantifiable variables to be considered
are number of subject majors, class levels of students, average price
of materials (monographs and serials), assessed quality of the collection
in each subject area, collection usage statistics, and interlibrary loan
borrowing statistics.
III. Collections
Monographs
Monographs are selected to cover, as broadly as possible, all fields
relating to the curriculum of the University, while also supplying deeper
coverage in those fields where advanced degrees are offered. Monographs
are added to the collection based on the following criteria: positive
reviews in renowned review sources; author’s and publisher’s
reputations; format; language (English is preferred in most cases); cost;
recommendations by faculty and students; local interest; the quality
and extent of the existing collection on the subject; and whether the
edition has been revised or is merely a reprint.
A collection of books published for preschool through high school levels is
maintained to support the education curriculum. This collection includes fiction,
nonfiction and picture books.
In most disciplines, the library does not purchase textbooks; however, textbooks
that are requested by a faculty member or received as gifts and that meet selection
criteria will be added to the collection.
The library acquires fiction to support the University’s curriculum and
does not aspire to provide such a collection for leisure reading.
The library normally purchases only one copy of a title but exceptions may
be made for archival purposes or to meet high demand.
Electronic format is preferred for most indexes, abstracts and reference materials.
Serials
Serial subscriptions for the library are selected to cover, as broadly
as possible, all fields relating to the undergraduate curriculum of the
University. Serials representing a greater depth of coverage are chosen
to cover the master’s programs while those titles with the most
in-depth coverage are acquired for the doctoral programs. In addition
to the scholarly publications which support the curriculum, it is the
policy of the library to maintain a collection of general interest journals
and selected professional library journals.
New periodical and newspaper titles are considered for purchase once
per year based on suggestions compiled by the Collection Development
Team. These suggestions include titles recommended by the teaching faculty,
titles indexed in the major indices available at the library, and titles
frequently requested through interlibrary loan by more than one patron.
The final decision is made through a review by the librarians on the
Collection Development Team.
Electronic format is now the preferred format for most periodical literature.
Dissertations and Theses
Dissertations and theses will be supplied through interlibrary loan
if available free of charge. If only available at cost, the library will
consider purchase if the request is made through an academic department.
Otherwise, the patron will be directed to the commercial site from which
theses and dissertations can be purchased.
Maps
Depository maps and non-depository maps covering all geographic and
subject areas are collected.
Music Scores
Music scores are collected selectively. The library collects scores
needed to support the music curriculum and, to a lesser extent, scores
needed for the general cultural and recreational needs of University
students and faculty.
Multi-media Materials
The collection of audio materials aims to include all standard repertory
items for the genres taught in music courses. Subject coverage is multidisciplinary.
Audio materials, except in rare cases when LPs and/or audiocassettes
are purchased, are obtained in CD format. In general, the library collects
opera, theater, and ballet in video rather than CD format.
DVDs and videocassettes are purchased to support the curriculum, but
technological format and preview rights must also be considered. Slides,
films, filmstrips, and videodiscs are not currently collected.
Archives and Special Collections
The primary collecting scope of the University Archives is the official
records of the University, as well as records created by the University’s
faculty and staff, student organizations, and alumni when those papers
bear directly on the University or contain other
historical value which might reasonably benefit teaching or research.
The collections are received through transfer or donation.
Special Collections houses materials which require preservation because
of their unique nature. This collection is also non-circulating and only
accessible to those with serious scholarly intent.
EMU Publications
The library purchases two copies of each monograph authored by University
faculty and staff. One copy goes to the main collection and the other
to Archives.
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