| Title: |
Collection Development Policy |
Contact Officer: |
Andrew Wells |
| Approving Authority: |
Library Senior Management Group |
Date of Approval: |
2009-09-21 |
| Due for Review: |
Ongoing |
Last Amended: |
2009-09-21 |
The primary aim of the Library is to collect, organise and provide access to information in all formats needed to meet the learning, teaching and research needs of the user population. The UNSW Library collection substantially contributes to the University's position as one of the leading research universities in Australia.
The UNSW Library's collection development goals are to:
- support the teaching, learning, creative and research functions of the University by acquiring and organising a relevant and well balanced collection in a wide variety of formats.
- respond to changes in teaching and research programmes, in consultation with academic staff.
- maintain the physical condition of the collection at an appropriate level.
- participate in resource sharing and networking at a regional, national and international level.
- participate in efficient & cost effective storage programs to create long term access to research material
The Collection Development Policy has been created as a planning tool to give direction and focus to the selection and collection practice and to ensure that the overall collection and access to the collection supports the overall aims of both the University and the Library. This policy will outline accountabilities for the creation and maintenance of a collection that meets the teaching and research needs of the University population.
It is used to explain the UNSW Library collecting activities for the benefit of:
- The University of New South Wales
- Other funding bodies
- Users (staff, students, community)
- Teaching areas competing for support
- Research areas competing for support
Guiding Principles
- The Library's collection activities will result in a collection that supports the vision, purpose, values and priorities of the University.
- Materials will be selected and acquired to support the learning, teaching and research needs of the University.
- The Library will maintain the already strong serials collection.
- The Library will maintain a steady state for all open access collections. Please see page 12.
- UNSW Library cannot meet every need from its own collection. Specialist research needs may be met through the Document Services Department.
- UNSW Library supports resource sharing recognising libraries should collaborate to meet important needs of users.
- UNSW Library will collect limited copies of Textbooks & Recommended materials. It is expected that students will purchase their own individual copies, especially of textbooks.
- The Library will not purchase University classroom resources unless negotiated between the Head of School and Director of Information Services
- Some materials held by UNSW Library will have access restricted to members of the University only.
- Collection resources are provided to UNSW teaching hospital libraries, to support the learning needs of UNSW medical students located off campus. These resources are funded from the allocation to the Faculty of Medicine.
- UNSW Library minimises duplication in order to provide the breadth and depth of information required by the UNSW community.
- Not all materials held by UNSW Library will be held in open access collections.
- Materials required for undergraduate course work will be kept in either open access or special reserve collections.
- UNSW Library is responsible for the state and content of its collections. The Library will actively engage with Faculties and Schools to ensure that they are informed of changing teaching and research needs. The Library actively solicits the support of the academic community in developing its collections.
- The Library will purchase electronic versions of material in preference to print/hardcopy where archival access is guaranteed. The Library will take the suitability of format for particular discipline areas into consideration.
- The Library will select and purchase material taking into consideration the needs of users with disabilities.
- The Library complies with Copyright legislation and licence conditions.
