Collection Development Policy – SIENA HEIGHTS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Collection Development Policy

The Siena Heights University library collection development policy has been developed by the staff of the library to meet the general and specific needs for all library resources. The objectives of this policy are in agreement with the mission of the Siena Heights University.

The word “resources” shall be used to describe all types of material that a library collects and makes available to its patrons.

The Library exists to support the mission of the University. The mission of Siena Heights University, a Catholic University founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, is to assist people to become more competent, purposeful, and ethical through a teaching and learning environment which respects the dignity of all. Therefore, library resources will be acquired according to the following principals, ranked in order of importance.

1. Materials to support the current curriculum and teaching mission of Siena Heights University.

2. General reference works.

3. Works that enhance the overall collection in some way.

4. Resources to support the research needs of the faculty and staff (when budget allows). Priority will be given to research related to curriculum and course development.

All materials purchased with funds allocated to the library become library property and they are available for the use of the entire campus community. The library staff is responsible for making all final decisions regarding purchases of library resources. The library staff reserves the right to determine if a requested resource fits within the principals listed above. An attempt is made to honor as many requests as possible however, there are instances when a request will be denied. The library staff will inform the requesting party if their request will not be honored.

Since English is the language of instruction at Siena Heights University, priority will be given to resources in English. Foreign language materials will normally be limited to those languages taught at the university, but resources in other languages may be acquired to meet specific needs.
Siena Heights University library endorses the Library Bill of Rights and the principles of that document are considered an integral part of this policy statement.

Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

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 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

Although the Articles of the Library Bill of Rights are unambiguous statements of basic principles that should govern the service of all libraries, questions do arise concerning application of these principles to specific library practices.

Acquisition Policy

Library staff role:

A major role of the library staff is to continue to evaluate the library’s collection through various venues, such as, Library Journal, publisher’s catalogues, and continued interlibrary services requests from patrons’ use of (MelCat & ILL), patron inquiries and library staff’s knowledge of established collection.

Faculty/Staff role:

Faculty /staff are encouraged to consider and recommend resources when developing courses, enhancing already established collections in their area of expertise. The library strongly supports faculty incorporating library resources into class assignments to introduce students to a variety of important resources available in the library. Library staff has final decision on acquisitions.

Student role:

Students may submit requests for resources that can provide assistance to their research as well as leisure reading. It is the library’s policy that textbooks will not be purchased nor added to the collection due to the quick rate these materials age out.

Budget statement:

The Siena Heights University Library is committed to dividing the library resources budget among the divisions in a manner that is fair and equitable. As of the writing of this policy the library does not assign specific monetary values to each division. This area of the Collection Development Policy is continually evaluated by the library staff with the intention of future revision.

Ordering procedure:

All orders for library resources should be directed to the circulation desk or division liaison.

Order cards are available in the Technical Services area of the library and should be filled out as completely as possible. If possible, other requests should be accompanied by a catalogue, brochure or newspaper clipping.

Replacements:

When a resource is identified as missing and is in demand, the library, after an extensive search, will promptly replace it with newest edition or available format.

Replacement costs consist of a $25.00 processing fee and actual replacement cost of item. This cost will be assessed to the last patron who had checked out the resource.

Types of Resources

Books:

Content, not format, is the basic criterion in adding to the collection. However, since format affects use and cost, it cannot be completely ignored. Books can be purchased in either print or eBook format.

The newest edition will be acquired unless an older edition is specifically requested due to historical value.

The Siena Heights University Library does not maintain a collection of current textbooks. However, faculty may make textbooks available to students by placing their own copies on reserve at the library.

Periodicals:

The library maintains a collection of periodicals to provide for the research needs of the students and faculty.
A limited number of newspapers are purchased to give comprehensive news coverage.

Audio-visual resources:

Siena Heights University acquires the following types of AV resources: DVD and Blu-ray. Format will be decided by availability.

On occasion due to immense expense, the division may be approached to contribute half the purchase price of non-print materials.
Areas considered when purchasing AV resources will be the cost and long-term viability. Rentals will be considered before purchase.

Gift policy:

Siena Heights University library welcomes gifts of resources, but reserves the right to determine whether the materials should be added to the collection. Gift material is added to the collection when it conforms to the existing criteria for selection. The commitment to accept extensive gift collections is made by the director of the library.

The Siena Heights University Library has established a partnership with Better World Books. According to their website, Better World Books collects and sells books online to donate and fund literacy projects worldwide. The majority of resources not added to the library collection will be sent to Better World Books. The SHU Library receives a small percentage of each sale.

In accordance with the recommendation of the Association of College and Research Libraries (a division of the American Library Association), the library will not be responsible for a monetary valuation statement to the donor for tax or other purposes.
Monetary donations are gratefully accepted. Gift funds will be deposited in a restricted account and purchases will be made in accordance with the donor’s wishes.