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Collection Development Policy

Drake University Cowles Library

2008

As written and revised by: Teri Koch, Sara Lowe, Sean Stone, Mark Stumme

Adopted by: Cowles Library Faculty Council (9/12/2008)

I. Introduction

Library Mission Statement
University Mission Statement
Statement of Purpose
Intellectual Freedom & Diversity Statement

II. Budget Allocation / Conspectus / Supplemental Funds

I. Introduction

Library Mission Statement

To support the educational goals of Drake University by providing services, collections, technology, and learning opportunities that make it possible for faculty and students to successfully access and use information. In fulfilling its mission, the Library works in partnership with faculty and other members of the Drake community. Primary emphasis is placed on materials and services that expand upon and support the curriculum, and that support faculty teaching. Cowles Library Strategic Plan

University Mission Statement

Drake’s mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty, and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation.

Statement of Purpose

The Cowles Library Collection Development Policy is intended to guide the selection, evaluation, and de-selection of print and electronic materials for the collection, whether by purchase, gift, license, or subscription. The purpose of this policy is to provide a written statement of the library’s objectives in building its collection, to communicate these objectives and guidelines to all members of the Drake community, and to guide selectors when making individual decisions. As a statement of University Library policy, it is also used in determining the allocation of funds and as a source to identify areas of strength and weakness in our collection.

Intellectual Freedom & Diversity

The selection of items to be added to the collection (physical and electronic) is a shared responsibility of the library and teaching faculty. That activity is guided by Drake University’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of academic freedom in the pursuit of teaching, research and the creation of knowledge. Academic Charter (See Section IV, p.3). The library seeks to serve as a free marketplace of ideas, providing equal access to all points of view on all subjects of potential use or interest to its users. Neither physical materials nor access to electronic information is excluded from the collection because of frankness of language or controversial content, or because of the political, moral, religious, sexual, social, economic, or scientific views expressed, or because of the race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or political affiliations of the author. Attempted censorship of library materials is in direct opposition to the American Library Association (ALA) Library Bill of Rights. Furthermore, attempted censorship is vigorously resisted by the library as inconsistent with its responsibility to foster freedom of thought and inquiry. The Library recognizes its unique role in helping promote diversity by acquiring resources, both electronic and print, that strengthen the University’s efforts to promote learning and education in the areas of diversity and multicultural studies (see Cowles Library Diversity Plan). The library’s collection must reflect this commitment by supporting research and study that enhances knowledge of our pluralistic society.

II. Budget Allocation / Conspectus / Supplemental Funds

The acquisition budget is prepared annually. The Head of Collection Development prepares a budget recommendation based on input from both the library and teaching faculty. Particular attention is paid to sustaining the strength of the collection in support of current programs, and on identifying new areas of study or areas that need enhancement. Based on this input, the Dean of the Library works with the Provost to develop a university budget recommendation. This allocation is normally announced in the spring of each year and goes into effect on June 1. The materials budget is divided between nonrecurring (Books, Media) and recurring (Serials, Journals, Electronic Database subscriptions) expenditures. For budgetary purposes, the primary differentiation is between one-time and continuing expenditures. Each College/School (and in the case of the College of Arts & Sciences, each Department) receives a budget allocation assigned from the library’s overall materials budget with which to order books or monographs to help build the library collection. Note: only those Colleges/Departments which have active Library Liaisons (primarily consisting of attending the bi-annual Liaison meetings and responding to library messages/queries) will receive a departmental funding allocation. See “IX. Library Liaison Program” Submitted orders should meet the criteria established in this document. Each college or department is expected to appoint a Liaison to work with the library. Cowles Library will designate a librarian to work with each college or department. The Departmental Liaison assigned by either the Dean of the College or the Chair of the Department should administer this allocation and work closely with his/her colleagues to manage it. The Departmental Liaison will receive a statement at the beginning of each month during the school year from the Acquisitions Associate informing them of their departmental “balance” as of the last working day of the prior month. If there are any unspent monies in the annual departmental allocation they will revert to the library each spring (usually late February) so that the library faculty may use the funds to purchase materials. First preference will be given to the subject areas from which the reversions came. Each College/School/Department also has funds allocated by the library towards serial/journal subscriptions. This budget does not normally increase from year to year, except for an annual inflationary increase. If the library receives sufficient additional funds from the University to cover inflation, serials cuts are not normally necessary. In those years in which the library does not receive enough additional funding to cover inflation, Librarian Faculty Liaisons and Departmental Liaisons must work together to achieve the necessary budget figure. (See “V. Library Collections (Physical); #5 Serials” for more information regarding Serials and Serials cancellations.) Through their Departmental Liaisons, faculty in each College/School/Department have the opportunity to review the list of serials/journals assigned to their College or Department each Spring, and to make recommendations for changes and new titles. (See “Appendix #4: Procedures for ordering a serial/journal” for more information.) The Library also allocates funds to support subscriptions to Electronic databases. This piece of the budget is growing each year with the help of the Information Technology (IT) fee. (See “VI. Library Collections (Networked)” for more information, and also Appendix #5 “Procedures for Ordering an Electronic Database/Journal.”)

Conspectus:

The library regularly revises the Library Conspectus , which is a strategy for setting monographic acquisitions and purchasing guidelines for academic disciplines. This process entails relating the number of titles published each year, broken down by the Library of Congress Classification system, to Drake’s curriculum. Groups of call numbers are assigned to each academic discipline and the percentages of the volumes being published are weighted by the assigned level of the program (as assigned in “III. Curricular Analysis” section). This process produces a total monographic guideline figure or a monographic purchasing target for each discipline. The Conspectus approach provides acquisition targets based on the number of books published in any given year, and it links to the Collection Development Policy based upon assigned weights.

Supplemental Gift Funds:

The Library has a limited amount of supplemental money regularly available to it. Generally referred to as “gift money,” most of it consists of the proceeds of bequests from which the library receives the income. The funds are limited, and most have restrictions. The Major Supplemental Gift Funds currently are:

Griffing – designated for purchase of books related to diverse cultures and world problems.
Herriott – designated for purchase of books on history and the humanities.
Lynner – designated for purchase of books on American literature.
Becker – designated for purchase of books on rural churches.
Koch – designated for purchase of books on insurance.
Hyman – designated for purchase of books of fiction, drama and literary criticism.

III. Curricular Analysis

Collection Statement: Cowles Library Information Resources

In order to serve the information needs of Drake University, Cowles Library provides collections of materials, access (including remote access) to electronic resources, and temporary use of materials from other libraries through interlibrary loan. The following policies provide guidelines for these elements.

Physical Collections

Cowles Library receives and maintains collections of books, periodicals, newspapers and music scores in paper formats. All print materials are cataloged and evaluated for possible preservation measures and are bound or reinforced where dictated by policy and housed in Cowles Library. Cowles Library receives and maintains collections of books, periodicals and newspapers in microfilm format for which we have appropriate reading equipment. All microform materials are cataloged and housed in Cowles Library. Cowles Library receives and maintains information on compact discs, DVDs, and videos for which we have appropriate equipment. All such media are cataloged and available for use in Cowles Library or for checkout where allowed. Cowles Library does not purchase or maintain collections of commercial software, art pieces, maps, or slides. If such materials are supplemental to a book, they are treated as accompanying material and shelved with the book.

Electronic Resources

Cowles Library makes electronic materials available to Drake University faculty, staff, and students including remote access whenever possible. All contracts and licensing agreements provide access to the whole Drake community whenever possible and are administered by the Library.

Interlibrary Loan

Materials not owned by Cowles Library are obtained from other libraries for use. All Drake faculty, staff and students have access to this service.

Cowles Library does not actively collect

(unless requested for an instructional or research purpose and approved by the Collection Development Committee):

The library does not actively collect materials primarily intended to support specific class instruction or for individual study or research including: textbooks (note: there is an emerging category of textbook digital-hybrids, that consist of textbooks as well as additional curricular materials that are not excluded), lab manuals, workbooks, examinations, tutorials, demonstrations, exercises, course descriptions, reading lists, or forms. Materials of this nature may be placed on reserve at the library either in physical or electronic format but are not intended to be added to the permanent collection. Exception: The library will purchase materials, on a case-by-case basis, to support in-class laboratory instruction when the use of specific items, generally tertiary reference books, are specifically required as part of the information literacy requirement of a particular subject curriculum. This is only done as an extension of library instruction integrated into the classroom and only when no other alternative exists to provide equivalent instruction by other means.
The library does not actively collect multiple copies of the same title for regular use as part of the library’s circulating or reserve collections (use of reserve services is encouraged as an alternative). The library is specifically prohibited from ordering additional copies of books used as textbooks on campus so as to make student textbook purchases unnecessary. Exception: Two copies are purchased of any book by a Drake author with one circulating or on reserve as necessary and the second copy being deposited in special collections.
The library does not actively collect foreign language materials. Exception: While Cowles library does not have regular procedures in place (approval plans, etc.) for the purchase of foreign language materials it will acquire materials that support curriculum and instruction of the Drake University Language Acquisition Program (DULAP) as decided on an item-by-item basis.
The library does not actively collect materials for use by the visually impaired such as Braille or large-type editions or audio transcriptions. There are, however, facilities on sight to do limited conversion of some library materials to make them accessible.
The library does not actively collect general catalogs of academic institutions, commercial organizations, art galleries, etc.
The library does not actively collect materials proselytizing religious beliefs, philosophical and psychological practices, self-improvement methods, or political movements and organizations.
The library does not actively collect materials promoting commercial products, companies or public personalities.
The library does not actively collect materials intended for age levels below college level.
The library does not actively collect “Browsing” books of certain categories as described in that section (VIII Special Considerations, 3. Browsing Materials).
The library does not actively collect Media or materials which the library does not have appropriate equipment to access.

Collection Level definitions:

Minimal level A subject area which is out of scope for the University’s mission and in which few selections are made. No majors are offered at the University.
Basic level A highly selective collection which serves to introduce and define a subject. It includes major dictionaries and encyclopedias, selected editions of important works, etc. No majors are offered at the University.
Undergraduate study level A collection which is adequate to support undergraduate study. A collection that is adequate to maintain knowledge of a subject required for limited or generalized purposes of less than research intensity. It includes a wide range of basic books, complete collections of the works of more important writers, a selection of representative journals, and reference tools. Majors are offered in the subject.
Graduate/advanced study level A collection which will support master’s level graduate work including; materials containing research reports, new findings, scientific results and other information useful to studying for a master’s level graduate degree. It should also include all important reference works and a wide selection of books, serials, etc.
Research level A collection that includes the major published source materials required for dissertation level research. Including materials containing research reporting, new findings, scientific experimental results, and other information useful to researchers. It is intended to include all important reference works and a wide selection of specialized books, as well as an extensive collection of journals and major indexing services in the field.

Subject descriptors/collection levels:

Art	3
Biology	3
Business & Public Administration	4
Chemistry	3
Economics	3
Education	5
English	3
Geology/Geography	2
History	3
Journalism	4
Law	2
Mathematics	3
Modern Languages	2
Music	4
Pharmacy	4
Philosophy/Religion	3
Physics	3
Politics & International Relations	3
Psychology	3
Rhetoric & Communications	3
Sociology	3
Theatre Arts	3

**Interdisciplinary areas (such as Women’s Studies, Latin American Studies, Environmental Studies, etc.) are included under the broad subject area above with which they are most closely associated.

Definition of “Core” and “Research” Collections

One of the primary goals of Cowles Library and the Collection Development Policy is to define and identify a “Core” collection and “Research” collection for each subject area. “Core collection” is defined as “a collection representative of the basic information needs of a library’s primary user group. In academic libraries, selection is based on curriculum need, and collections are maintained to meet the research interests of students and faculty.” “Research collection” is defined as “a library collection sufficiently comprehensive to support specialized research in an academic discipline or field. A good research collection includes primary sources, secondary sources, and the bibliographic tools needed to conduct an exhaustive search of the literature.” (Both from Reitz, 2004) For our purposes, materials that would be designated level 2 or 3 would be considered “core” while materials that would be considered 4 or 5 would be “research.” Monographs designated as “core” will be housed in open shelving in the library, while materials designated as “research” will be housed in compact shelving. Reitz, Joan M. Dictionary for Library and Information Science. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited, 2004.

IV. Selection Factors

The following are the primary factors that we consider in making acquisition decisions for materials in our collection:

relevance of material to the Drake curriculum
critical review or quality of the material content
listing in standard bibliographies and guides
reputation or authoritativeness of the publisher
reputation or authoritativeness of the author
calculated or estimated price per use
potential for use or known need
strength or weakness of the collection in particular areas; we will collect materials in greater quantity and specificity in selected subject areas based upon the definition of our collection levels as well as endeavoring to collect in areas designated as being important but lacking
usefulness with respect to other materials in the collection, including the representation of all sides of controversial issues
duplication of other similar subject coverage including materials available as part of databases or e-book collections
currency of the material, especially as it relates to the physical and social sciences
lasting value of the material for an academic collection
ability to obtain the material through other means, such as electronic access, document delivery, ILL or other nearby libraries with more appropriate resources in particular subject areas
preference will be given to electronic materials that can be accessed remotely whenever possible and practical

V. Library Collections (Physical): materials housed in the library

1. Books/Monographs

The primary format for a one-time purchase (that is, non-subscription) is the book format. Books/Monographs are generally collected in clothbound editions except when items are available only in paperback editions. The exception is when the price differential between the clothbound edition and the paperback edition is deemed to be excessive (usually, if the clothbound edition costs over $10 more than the paperback edition). In this case the paperback edition will be purchased and sent to the bindery if deemed necessary. The library maintains a Reference book collection that is comprised of material such as: general and specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories, almanacs, atlases and topical bibliographies. Most of our index and abstracting sources in print have been replaced by similar electronic versions. Generally, whenever a Reference source is available in both print and electronic formats, we will opt for the electronic version, unless the cost for such is significantly higher than the print version or if the electronic version is not available to the library via perpetual access.

A. Microforms: Monographic Microfilm/fiche

Occasionally one-time purchases will be added to the collection in a microfilm/fiche format; for example: theses, books, and large collections of source material. The situations that would precipitate such a purchase could include: more economical to purchase in microfilm/fiche as compared to the paper (book) format, ease of storage of microfilm/fiche format, and/or availability (or lack of availability in another format). Attention should be given to providing appropriate housing and equipment for such purchases as well as providing adequate bibliographic access.

2. Government Documents

Cowles Library is a partial depository for federal government publications. We receive the same core materials that all depository libraries receive. The remainder of our government collection is determined by the profile created by the librarian responsible for documents, whose decisions on which series numbers we receive generally follow the same criteria applied to the selection of our books and serials. Emphasis is placed on those materials deemed to be the most relevant to our curricular needs. In addition to the publications created by Congress, those put out by the Departments of Education, Commerce and Interior comprise the largest share of our government collection. As a general rule, we receive approximately one-fourth of the federal publications offered to depository libraries. Whenever a new series of publications is offered for depositories, the librarian who oversees documents will make the decision on whether or not to receive the series, with occasional input from selected faculty members who may have an interest in those particular publications. We will receive increasingly smaller percentages of documents in print form as a higher percentage is available through electronic access. We also try to avoid excessive duplication of materials that are acquired by the Drake Law Library.

3. Special Collections

Cowles Library’s special collections are primarily Drake related material. There is a collection of books by Drake alumni and Drake faculty. The library will generally obtain two copies of books written by Drake faculty, with one copy being placed in Special Collections and the other in the circulating collection. If the cost is too prohibitive for two copies, we place the one copy in Special Collections. Cowles Library does not generally purchase other materials for Special Collections, but will consider any donated items that have a Drake connection. The library requests two bound copies of every doctoral dissertation written by a Drake student, with an archival copy for Special Collections and the other for Circulation. There is also a collection of various publications by Drake agencies including: catalogs, yearbooks, staff directories, school newspapers, student magazines, commencement programs and Drake Relays programs. The library maintains two collections of archival files that we call Drake Biography and Drake Agency. The Biography files contain articles, letters, memos, photos and the like for individuals that were/are Drake faculty, staff, administrators, alumni and trustees. The Agency files contain articles, memos, photos, flyers and the like for Drake departments, buildings, offices, events and publications. Our special collections do not contain institutional archive materials such as: personnel records, student records or financial records of the University. The library has two primary collections of non-Drake material in Special Collections. The first being the Cowles Papers and the second being the Ding Darling cartoon proofs. Although we do not have the complete set of their papers, we do have an extensive collection of papers for John and Gardner (Mike) Cowles Jr. John was the publisher of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, while Mike was publisher of the Des Moines Register. The Cowles brothers also published a variety of magazines, such as Look Magazine, through the Cowles Publications Company. Ding Darling was a renowned political cartoonist who appeared in the Des Moines Register and was syndicated nationally for many years during the first half of the 20th century. The library was given 6000 proofs of his cartoons, which are now also accessible in electronic format through the Heritage Collections page on the library website.

4. Media

Cowles Library Policy Statement: Purchasing Media with Monograph Funds Academic departments may use their library-assigned monographic (Book) budgets to purchase media materials. Media purchased for the Cowles Library collection should meet the same criteria established for other formats (such as print) in regard to relevancy to the curriculum. Note: Media is purchased for educational rather than public presentations, and public presentation rights are not included in the purchase of such materials. All copyright restrictions will be respected. Cowles Library will accept the following media formats for purchase:

DVDs (NTSC North America format only)
Analog VHS tapes (only when the DVD version is unavailable)

Purchase of media materials in other formats will NOT be accepted, since the formats listed above are the only formats that current library equipment will support. Note: the only exception would be if a faculty member requested an Audio CD in direct support of curriculum-related instruction. The Library does have a small collection of Audio CDs that were a gift; but the library does not purchase Audio CDs for recreational purposes. The library purchases a limited number of DVDs for recreational purposes. Generally these are “new release” movies that can be found on “best seller” DVD movie lists. Examples include drama, comedy, educational (PBS). Also note that any media materials purchased in this manner will be treated, for circulation purposes, in the same manner as other monographic materials; that is, materials will be available for check-out to Drake students, faculty and staff. Items may be placed on “reserve” for the semester during which they are used as primary course material. Media is, however, available for a shorter check-out time. (See Appendix #3: “Procedures for Ordering a Monograph/Book or Media.”)

5. Serials

The recurring expense of print periodical subscriptions represents long-term, complex fiscal, physical, and technical commitments, rather than the relatively short-term process and one-time expense of acquiring and processing a book. This is true regardless of whether the subscription is in print or online format. For this reason, periodicals selection must be a carefully considered activity and is treated differently from book selection. (See “Section VI: Library Collections (Networked), #4. Electronic/digital Subscriptions” for the policies regarding electronic serials). Periodicals are selected and preserved for Cowles Library to enhance the library’s collection of learning resources with current materials in various subject fields. Journals/periodicals/annuals are normally acquired only through subscription; individual issues or reprints are rarely purchased. Journals which are expensive or very specialized, not indexed, or unrelated to specific courses or programs, or which for some other reason are inappropriate for an educational institution, are seldom ordered. To determine which periodicals will be acquired and retained, the following criteria will be taken into consideration: Ranked in order of importance:

Indispensable to the support of present and proposed curricula.
Indexed in standard periodical indexes.
Determined by library staff as necessary for the creation of a well-balanced collection.
Supports specific research in progress.
Used by students and faculty for recreational and general informational reading.

Other factors: Does not duplicate electronic availability, accreditation requirements, longevity of the title, availability of the title at other local libraries, availability of the title at a reasonable cost via document delivery or Interlibrary Loan. New subscriptions will be considered, funds permitting, using the “Selection Factors” listed earlier in the table of contents section and, ideally, will be handled in consultation between the Departmental Library Liaison and the Librarian assigned to that subject area. (See Appendix #4: “Procedures for Ordering a Serial/Journal”.) Cancellation of serials/journals: The following are the main reasons for cancellation of a serial/journal subscription and these factors apply to online as well as print materials. (See also “V. Library Collections (Physical): #5. Serials”):

Fiscal considerations If the price of a journal increases more than 15% in one year it will be subject to review for possible cancellation. Titles will be vetted through the Departmental Library Liaison before a final decision is made.
Change in or discontinuance of the program it supports
Content or format changes in the title which make it inappropriate for inclusion in the collection

A. Policies pertaining to different types of serials subscriptions:

Periodicals Journal subscriptions that are perceived to be of lasting value will be bound for permanent storage except titles which are also available in a permanent digital format, in which case see the “Policy for removal of duplicate print and microform journal holdings if a title is owned in a permanent digital format.” Microforms Cowles Library does not actively collect microform except for titles of local interest (e.g., Des Moines Register, Times-Delphic). If an item is only available in microform we will consider purchase. Newspapers Subscriptions to select newspapers are carried in order to support teaching and research, to provide sources of national and international news, and general intellectual and cultural awareness for the Drake community. Another factor considered will be whether or not the title is available via the internet and/or in one or more of the full-text electronic databases to which the library subscribes. There is no specific attempt to collect, using University funds, the hometown newspapers of the student body, although gifts will be considered (see Section VIII: 2. Gifts). Monographic Series Monographic series may be acquired as individual titles, or by establishing a continuation order. The need to purchase all volumes in the series is the primary requirement for establishing a continuation order.

VI. Library Collection (Networked): electronic resources to which the library provides access

1. Purpose

Digital library materials are collected to support the mission of Drake University. These resources should not be considered as an add-on to the Library’s collections but as an integral part of collection development. These materials are vital to that mission in the modern era of shared access to electronic information. While much information is available on the Internet, Cowles Library plays a unique role by providing quality scholarly information that would not be available otherwise, and by defending the widest possible access to information in all formats. Cowles Library has a significant body of electronic library resources. Linked to the library web site, these resources represent a large amount of scholarly information available to the Drake community.

2. Broad Categories

Digital library materials currently collected by Cowles Library consist of three broad categories: A. Purchased or licensed material such as electronic journals or databases. These are generally acquired from a commercial source, a government entity, a non-profit organization, a professional society, or an institution engaged in furthering scholarly research. In many cases this material is not “physically owned” by the library in the same sense that a printed book or journal may be owned, but instead the library has acquired specific rights to the material on behalf of the library’s clientele. B. Material that has been reformatted (digitized) by Cowles Library or the University from non-copyrighted print or analog sources, or has been reformatted from copyrighted sources with appropriate permission. In some cases the library may also serve as a repository for material digitized by other libraries, universities, institutions, or individuals. Typically, this material consists of resources from special collections that have been selected for digitization in order to make them more widely available or deteriorating materials that have been reformatted for preservation reasons. As the use of digital material in higher education expands, the library will increasingly digitize materials on a programmatic basis in order to support the mission of the University and Cowles Library. C. Links and pointers to Internet resources of significant scholarly value that are added to the library’s catalogs, databases, and networked resources as appropriate.

3. Selection Considerations

The library has an internal operational team to evaluate and facilitate the selection and implementation of electronic resources. The Electronic Resources Selection Committee (ERSC) has developed methodologies for the selection process, building on the well-developed base of existing collection development techniques. ERSC is the group primarily responsible for evaluating and selecting new electronic resources, as well as evaluating (and potentially de-selecting) existing electronic resources. Selection criteria for digital library resources comprise four levels of review: a. Content. Is the content intellectually significant? Is the content relevant to Drake University’s curriculum? Is it relevant to the selecting levels identified in the Library Conspectus? Measures of intellectual significance include authority, uniqueness, timeliness, breadth or depth, and demand. b. Is the format appropriate for the content? Is the format appropriate to achieve the underlying rationale for the acquisition of the resource? Print may be the appropriate format for a unique item with a low rate of expected usage, while high-use general undergraduate-level information resources, distance education resources or frequently used reference material may be more appropriately acquired in a “networkable” digital format. In a similar vein, special collections material with wide potential interest might benefit from digitization to increase its utility and to make it available to a wider audience. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of a particular format, along with considerations of audience, intended use of the material, archival and access issues, and overall costs are all factors to be considered in determining which format would be most appropriate for the library collection. c. Practical issues. Does the library have the necessary overhead resources (equipment, staff, space, etc.) to support the resource? Do library users have the necessary resources to utilize the content (computers, players, plug-ins, etc.)? Does the license or contract for the resource meet library, university, and state requirements? Is the vendor reliable, is the format stable, and can we utilize the resource (linking, archiving, etc.) in the ways our users need? Does the digital product adhere to the best prudent practices of current library collection management (including, but not limited to, appropriate retrieval software, a well-designed interface, appropriate format and linking options, a properly reliable delivery mechanism, authentication and security designs that meet library needs, a library-friendly approach to fair use and copyright, quality statistical reporting, appropriate technical support, assurances of rights to permanent access, and appropriate licensing terms)? d. Strategic Considerations. Is the resource compatible with library/university information technology plans? Is the product compatible with the library’s overall digital library vision and the library’s current infrastructure in terms of its discovery, access, organization, and technical components? Is the product design and delivery consistent with the best practices of digital libraries?

Evaluation elements taken into consideration by the Electronic Resources Selection Committee (ERSC): A. Content suitability

Accuracy, authoritativeness and completeness of database
Potential users; usefulness for a variety of classes and/or disciplines, anticipated volume of use
Subject coverage; duplication of current library resources
Alternative products available that might better serve users’ needs
Format alternatives
Frequency of content updating

B. Search engine and interface

Ease of use for patrons and library staff
Quality of retrieval and search engine
Frequency of updating of search engine, user interface updating and new searching features?
Availability and quality of documentation
Treatment of graphics, formulae, and other non-standard characters

C. Vendor reliability

Vendor’s reliability and stability and reputation for producing quality products
Availability and responsiveness of technical support

D. Archiving and Preservation

Access to the back files of the data after the license has expired or if product is removed from market

E. Technical compatibility

Capacity and requirements for remote access; Password vs. IP authentication (The library will give priority consideration to those resources that can be accessed via IP authentication)
Requirements for Library hardware and software
Network compatibility

F. Licensing and other legal concerns

Licensing terms and restrictions
Number of simultaneous users or unlimited usage based on FTE
Remote access

G. Service Implications

Ease of training potential users

H. Cost and Budgetary constraints

Cost/value analysis
Availability of funds
Historical and potential inflation factor of the resource

4. Electronic/digital Subscriptions

The selection factors listed in Section IV also apply to the acquisition of electronic journal/database subscriptions. In addition to those factors, the factors listed below should also be taken into consideration. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but is merely meant to guide the selector. (See Appendix 4: “Procedures for Ordering a Serial/Journal”). Advantages of digital format must be demonstrably greater than the equivalent print purchase. That is, there should be a coherent rationale for the acquisition of the resource. Examples include: more timely availability; more extensive content; greater functionality; greater access (especially remote); improved resource sharing; ease of archiving, replacing, and preserving. Other factors that are considered: Accessibility, that is, the ease with which the title/database can be readily accessed, both physically (computer hardware/software, internet connections, etc.), and bibliographically (ease of location of pertinent information on the library’s catalog/web page, etc.). Integration Ease of ability to integrate into existing Library services. Cost Ideally, electronic content should cost less than its print equivalent unless there is added value (such as full-text, internet links, etc.). Practically, costs should not be significantly greater unless the added value is substantial. Archiving If a print subscription to the title is not also carried, archiving is a key issue to consider. Does the publisher archive all years to which we are paying for access? Will we continue to have access to those years if/when we discontinue the subscription? What forms will that access take?

5. Goals and Priorities

Within this framework, it is the objective of the library to collect scholarly digital materials in order to provide broad access to relevant scholarly information, including articles, monographs and databases. As with all formats, digital material should meet the same subject, chronological, geographical, language and other guidelines as outlined in the library’s subject collection policies; and possess the same standards of excellence, comprehensiveness and authority that the library expects from all of its acquisitions. The library recognizes that different disciplines utilize different formats and different types of information in different ways, and that no one solution is appropriate for every subject or area of study. The ultimate goal of Cowles Library’s digital library collection development planning is to provide seamless cross-linkages between all elements of the digital library. Priority will be given to those digital materials that offer significant added value in supporting teaching and research over similar materials in traditional formats, that offer significant opportunities for cost containment, and whose license terms are reflective of the University’s academic values. Measures of added value might include: additional content, greater functionality, greater accessibility, improved resource sharing ability, improved linkages with other information tools, ease of archiving, and the enabling of more efficient use of limited faculty and student time and resources.

6. Licensing

Licenses should allow the library the flexibility to develop collections that match the University’s needs without contractually forcing entangling ties to unwanted products, and without restricting the rights of fair use or the values of free academic inquiry. License terms should also be financially sustainable and address archival rights to the resources in question. Also, providers of electronic resources should produce usage statistics, in accordance with standards (such as COUNTER and SUSHI), in a variety of usable formats. Materials that meet these and other selection needs will be given priority over digital material of a more problematic nature.

7. Specific Formats

A. Electronic Books The library will contract with vendors for online digital rights to selected current academic and trade books. When available, necessary (based on the opinion of the Library or Faculty Liaison), and fiscally feasible; works to which Cowles can procure permanent (perpetual) access rights will be preferred to works which Cowles does not own but is merely leasing. The Library needs to be cognizant of and concerned with the special needs of this medium, such as specialized software that each product may require. Also, the Library needs to be aware of the varying licensing arrangements and how this may affect usage (that is, “single” vs. “unlimited” simultaneous users for each title).

B. Online Government Documents Cowles Library will provide access to electronic Federal government information made available through the Federal Depository Library Program. This access will be freely available to both the Drake community and the general public with no fees, age restrictions or residency requirements. Providing access to online Government Documents has implications for both the “virtual” and “physical” library. On the “virtual” side, it requires the Library to maintain an up-to-date Web presence that points to worthwhile government publications. On the “physical” side, it requires the Library to provide public access to those computing resources necessary to access this information.

C. Special Collections The library will identify local materials whose wider availability would aid university teaching and research, promote scholarship, enrich the arts and sciences, deepen our understanding of human culture and benefit the Drake community. Local materials are digitized both to provide wider access, and to preserve them for future generations. Digitization projects require a significant investment of local resources and are not undertaken lightly. Long-term value to the academic community, congruency with the Library and University missions and areas of interest, and significance to worldwide users of the Internet are all important considerations. Digitization projects are planned in consultation with the Drake Digital Repository (see Appendix 6: “Drake Digital Repository”

D. Electronic Serials Cowles Library seeks to license access to a critical mass of high quality electronic journals in all subject areas of the Drake curriculum. Because the acquisition of any particular electronic journal is staff-intensive and involves the work of many people over a period of months — collecting efforts will focus on acquiring a solid core of proven e-journals from respected publishers with non-core material acquired when it follows general collection policies. E-journal publishers vary greatly in their familiarity with electronic publishing issues and in their familiarity with needs of the scholarly and library community. In some cases, e-journal publishers have unrealistic expectations as to the prices libraries can afford and in the technical and format barriers they expect libraries to scale in order to access their journals. The library has limited funds and staff time that can be devoted to problematic publishers. In those cases where the content is desirable, but the price and practical barriers are too formidable, we will not pursue the electronic versions of the journal, but will provide access through other formats or delivery mechanisms.

8. Usage Statistics

The library will collect and analyze meaningful statistics on the usage of electronic resources, especially those commercial resources which the Library licenses. Usage statistics will be used to inform purchasing and renewal decisions in conjunction with the Library’s overall assessment of its services and collections. Whenever possible, only COUNTER (Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources) compliant statistics will be collected. Statistics may be used to inform collecting and weeding of electronic resources.

9. Electronic Collection Maintenance

Sound collection maintenance techniques (such as evaluating usage of resources, monitoring pricing trends, and tying the collection to the curriculum) will be applied to electronic materials in the same manner as print, whenever possible. However, we should remain aware that print and electronic materials may have significant differences in the area of archiving. Thus, as stated above, preference should be given to those electronic resources whose publishers demonstrate a commitment to digital archiving.

10. Weeding

Electronic resources go out of date as do print resources (see “Section VII: Physical Collection Maintenance, # 4.Weeding”). They may be vendor updated by adding new features or operations enhancements and/or by including new information. Electronic resources that are no longer supported by the vendor, or that are not regularly updated may be candidates for de-selection. Librarians will periodically review electronic materials to determine their use, relevance, currency, and value to the collection. Electronic resources no longer determined to be of value to the collection will be weeded.

VII. Physical Collection Maintenance:

1. Binding

Cowles Library binds some new paperback MONOGRAPHS and SERIALS. Except those published on thicker, slick paper, which a commercial binding will not hold; those less than 5/8” thick; those that will have a short shelf life, with contents rapidly out-of-date; and most Reference classified serials. Exceptions are laminated in-house. Cowles Library does not bind NEWSPAPERS. Cowles Library binds most PERIODICALS. Except some popular, non-academic titles; titles too large to bind or whose pages have been mutilated; titles published on newsprint paper, too brittle to bind; and titles published as newsletters. Cowles will not bind any periodical that will be added to the collection in a permanent digital format at a later date (i.e., those titles in the JSTOR database or similar permanent digital archive). Exceptions are withdrawn after a set period of time or, less commonly, replaced by microfilm. Cowles Library often sends excessively worn or damaged books to be rebound. The paper must be sturdy enough to be trimmed without falling apart and the margins must be wide enough to assure no loss of text after binding. Other considerations include the popularity and frequency of use of a particular volume, and the availability of other copies or editions. Cowles Library binds some SCORES. Except performance scores, or those less than 5/8” thick. Exceptions are laminated or bound in “pam binders” in-house. Cowles Library binds Drake authored THESES AND DISSERTATIONS.

2. Conservation & Preservation

Appropriate staff and student workers (primarily in technical services and circulation) are trained to identify conservation and preservation issues and determine the type and level of treatment needed in both new and existing circulating collections. For new materials, staff and student workers are trained to identify possible preservation issues. Some level 1 treatments can be performed in-house while higher level treatments, including binding (see above), are contracted out to appropriate vendors. Based on staff assessment, materials are treated in-house, sent to an appropriate vendor of services such as the bindery, or withdrawn and replaced if possible. If a replacement is unavailable or not cost effective an enclosure is provided to prevent degradation and to keep the item complete. Special collections do not circulate and are not subject to the same assessments and treatments of circulating collections.

3. Replacements

Cowles Library will acquire replacement copies for monographs or media designated as missing, lost and paid, or unable to be repaired; AND when it is determined that the title should not be withdrawn and other copies or editions are available for purchase. In the case of media, the cost of the replacement will be closely scrutinized in relationship to potential usefulness (i.e., we will not generally replace “popular” DVDs unless the item in question is less than a year old since these titles generally have a very short shelf life, much like popular novels). We will also look closely at the utility of replacing media in excess of $100. These replacements will be done on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with the faculty member who originally ordered it.

4. Weeding

In accordance with the process recommended in the ALA Standards for College Libraries for discarding materials, Cowles Library weeds items to maintain a current, active and useful collection that reflects its goals and the curriculum. Materials should not be withdrawn due to controversial subject matter or solely because they have not been heavily used. Some subject areas call for more frequent weeding of outdated material than others, with the principal areas being in the physical sciences and social sciences. The following factors should be taken into consideration when weeding books from the collection:

superseded editions
duplicate copies
age and physical condition of the book
frequency of circulation
obsolescence of content
presence of other books on the subject matter
removal of a program from the curriculum
inclusion of titles in recognized bibliographic sources

Cowles Library withdraws periodicals if subject materials are duplicated (especially if in a digital format), if titles have a few scattered issues or broken files and cannot be filled in and completed, or if a title is in poor physical condition and can be replaced by microfilm or an electronic alternative. Also, when a title has value for the current year or a few years only, back issues are usually weeded. No periodical should automatically be discarded because it is not indexed. In addition, no periodical should be withdrawn because it contains controversial or unpopular opinions, or because it has not been heavily used, while it is still identified as a core title in its field. Cowles Library withdraws serials/continuations following the same criteria stated above for monographs and periodicals. When a title has value in only the most recent edition (e.g., directories) older volumes are usually withdrawn. Cowles Library withdraws media: if the subject matter is excluded from the Collection Development Policy; if it is obsolete technology (such as phonograph albums); if the library lacks the necessary equipment to view the item; if it is in questionable physical condition; or if it is available in another format. Cowles Library withdraws government publications according to the rules stated in Guidelines for the Depository Library System. (See “Section VI: Library Collections (Networked), #10.Weeding” for the weeding policy regarding electronic collections.)

VIII. Special Considerations

1. Approval Plans/Standing Orders/Blanket Orders

Cowles Library maintains arrangements with vendors and publishers under which it automatically receives certain categories of publications in the following ways: Approval plans Recognizing that the needs of the University are diverse and that the book selection expertise of individual faculty and librarians can be supplemented in some areas, the Library uses an approval plan to assure the acquisition of current materials at a reasonable price. The budget for approval books is separate from the budget for firm orders. Current publications from various publishers on prescribed subjects of particular interest, with return privileges for unwanted volumes. The library currently has an Approval Plan in place with the vendor, Blackwell’s. The library employs this professional service to assist in developing and maintaining a balanced collection with appropriate coverage in all disciplines as outlined in this policy. Standing orders Volumes of sets or monographic volumes in series being published over a period of time that extends into the future and for which we want complete holdings. Blanket orders All unrelated publications of a publisher, organization or association for which complete holdings are desired. Since these methods provide more efficient procedures for acquisitions than those for individually selected firm orders, they are used whenever appropriate.

2. Gifts

Cowles Library’s Collection Development Policy guides the selection and purchase of all materials for the library. Gifts are evaluated by the same standards as are purchased items so that the total collection maintains high quality, consistency, and relevance to the needs of the University. Gift books or journals that fill existing gaps and that support the curriculum are especially beneficial. The library must be free to decide whether all or part of a gift should be added to the collection, discarded, exchanged or given away. Because of space limitations and the cost of cataloging, some gifts cannot be added to the collection. The following materials are generally not accepted as gifts:

Issues of journals that we do not subscribe to (because of the additional expense required to keep such titles current).
Duplicates of titles already held regardless of format
Textbooks (especially those more than three years old).
Materials in poor physical condition
Material with factors such as odor, age or subject matter may be eliminated from consideration

If a gift is not added to the collection, it may be sold, offered to other libraries or discarded. Gifts are not returned (unless specifically requested by the donor) nor are they kept together. Gifts with restrictions imposed as to markings, shelving, etc. are usually not accepted. Rare and expensive items will be respected and treated as such. Arrangements for handling these may be negotiated between the Acquisitions Associate and the donor. Appraisals of gifts cannot be made by members of the library staff since the library is an interested party in the transaction. The donor is responsible for arranging and paying an outside appraiser if this is necessary or desired since the donor is the one who benefits from the tax deduction. Because of limited staff, the library usually cannot provide an itemized list of contributions, but the Acquisitions Associate will be pleased to sign a list of gift titles provided by the donor. A letter acknowledging the gift items is always sent to the donor unless the Acquisitions Associate has been asked not to do so. All Gift donors are asked to sign a release indicating that they understand and agree to the above conditions.

3. Browsing Materials

The Browsing collection is relatively small and intended to promote recreational reading among students, faculty, and staff and to enhance awareness of selected new books. The objective of the browsing collection is to provide books that will stimulate and entertain, and promote reading for the sheer joy of reading. The types of materials purchased for Browsing includes popular fiction, biographies, and other titles pertaining to topics of current interest. These types of materials are generally found on “best seller” lists such as the New York Times. Examples of categories not purchased include cookbooks, diet books, “how to” books, and self-help books. Procedure: Most books are designated “browsing” at the point of request since the library has a fund for browsing materials. However, since a librarian looks through all books that are received for location designation (such as Reference), some books are flagged for browsing at that point if the content is deemed to be of popular interest. After six months, Browsing titles are generally transferred to the regular circulating collection.

4. Reserve Materials /Electronic Reserve Materials

Most of the materials on reserve are placed there at the request of a faculty member for a specific course. The professor who places the item on reserve is also responsible for setting the amount of time allowed for its use, as well as the length of time that it will remain on reserve. All reserve items are reviewed for renewal or removal at the end of each semester. Some materials are placed on reserve by the library staff and are not contingent upon any specific class. The primary reason for doing this is to provide greater control and access over frequently used reference materials. Copyright restrictions and license agreements will be strictly followed at all times. If it is a violation of either to put material on reserve or electronic reserve, it will not be done.

5. Theses/Dissertations

Cowles Library collects copies of dissertations and theses produced by Drake University students. Two copies of each thesis/dissertation are collected. One copy goes into the circulating collection and one copy into the archives. Students pay thesis/dissertation fees as part of their graduate tuition. It is the responsibility of each College/School to see to it that the Library receives the copies of theses/dissertations.

IX. Library Liaison Program

The development of the collection is a shared responsibility of the teaching faculty and the library faculty. In order to facilitate communication between the Library and the academic program areas which it supports, the Library will designate “School/Departmental Liaisons” to serve as primary Library contacts to designated areas. Each College/School (and in the case of the College of Arts & Sciences, each Department) will have one librarian assigned to it. Additionally, emerging areas, such as Interdisciplinary Studies, Diversity Studies, etc. may have a librarian assigned to them. Note: only those Colleges/Departments who have active Liaisons (primarily consisting of attending the bi-annual meetings and responding to library messages/queries) will receive a departmental funding allocation. See “II. Budget Allocation” The faculty Liaison Program is the main vehicle of communication, collaboration, and cooperation between library and discipline-based faculty. Generally, the library will host a meeting of the Librarian Liaisons and the Departmental Liaisons once each fall and spring semester.

1. The goals of the Library Liaison Program are:

To build effective working relationships between library and discipline-based faculty, by providing a framework for increased cooperation.
To improve the quality and appropriateness of Cowles Library’s collections and services.
To foster increased use of the library and its collections within Drake’s curricular context.
To provide workshops on new library resources and services.
To provide a mechanism for incorporating information literacy directly into the curricula.
To promote awareness by maintaining an in-depth understanding of college/departmental programs (e.g. courses, degree programs), and by maintaining an awareness of individual faculty members instructional and research interests.

2. Librarian Liaison guidelines

Duties of the Library Liaison:

To serve as a channel of communication between the Departmental faculty and the Library faculty; to maintain regular and on-going contact with Departmental Library Liaisons, Chairs, and other faculty in designated areas of responsibility in order to remain current on curriculum content, teaching methods and faculty research interests.
To keep the Departmental faculty informed of library services, such as electronic resources, document delivery, and ILL.
To make the Departmental faculty aware of any gaps within our existing collection; to serve as primary resource manager for designated School or Department.
To develop a collection profile for each subject area, based on the level of material needed or expected for each discipline within the parameters of our curriculum.
To coordinate the removal (weeding) of outdated material from the collection with the Departmental Liaison

Specific responsibilities:

Library Liaisons regularly initiate order requests for items in their assigned areas. This includes responding to Approval Plan “slip” orders as well as initiating “firm orders” from appropriate review sources.
Library Liaisons help set-up an appropriate approval plan in their designated areas,
Library Liaisons review new serial title requests and cancellations.
Library Liaisons identify and evaluate electronic information resources in their assigned subject areas and make recommendations to the Electronic Resources Selection Committee.
Library Liaisons are responsible for maintenance of the Subject Portal(s) in their designated area(s).
Library Liaisons are responsible for coordinating collection assessment issues in their designated areas with the Head, Collection Development & Management and/or the Collection Development Committee.

3. Departmental (discipline-based) Liaison guidelines

Ultimate responsibility for collection development rests with the Library faculty. However, the Departmental Library Liaisons also carry responsibility to work with the Librarian Faculty member assigned to their discipline/school/department in order to achieve a balanced collection and to coordinate the resource development of the Library’s collections in their subject areas. Each School/Department is responsible for appointing a faculty member to serve as liaison to the library. This person must be able and willing to fulfill the duties and responsibilities outlined in this document, and to attend the bi-annual Library Liaison meetings held at the Library (schedule permitting; if the liaison is unable to attend the meeting he/she should make every effort to find a colleague to attend in his/her stead). Duties of the Department Liaison:

To internally coordinate her/his department’s acquisition needs and represent them to the Library; this person is the “information conduit” between the academic department/program and the library. This person must be in regular contact with all faculty in their department/academic unit.
To keep the Librarian Faculty member assigned to their department informed of any new course offerings, and whatever materials may be needed for such.
To make the librarians aware of certain course assignments given by the department that may require extensive reference service.
To verify that the Library indeed has certain materials in the collection needed by their students.
To coordinate the annual review of the serials/journals list holdings assigned to their department with their colleagues. Increasingly this is becoming more of a major responsibility of the Faculty Liaison. The library subscribes to a number of assessment tools which makes pertinent information on online journal availability and usage more readily available. The library seeks to work closely with the designated Liaisons to ascertain appropriate journal subscriptions and formats. This also includes coordinating the review of serials titles that are candidates for receipt in an “online only” format. This also includes, when necessary, coordinating serials/journals cancellations for their department.

Specific Responsibilities:

Faculty Liaisons, in conjunction with their assigned Library Liaison, may be asked to help set up and review the approval plan for their department.
Faculty Liaisons, in conjunction with their assigned Library Liaison, may be required to review the collection in their subject area(s) for collection assessment purposes.
Faculty Liaisons, in conjunction with their assigned Library Liaison, will recommend information resources received electronically such as electronic database subscriptions.
Faculty Liaisons will coordinate database trials of particular interest with their departmental colleagues (that is, request feedback and communicate the feedback to the librarian liaison assigned to their department).
Faculty Liaisons, in conjunction with their assigned Library Liaison, may be asked to assist the library by reviewing and evaluating gift collections from time to time.

X. Appendix

1. ACRL Standards for Libraries in Higher Education

2. LibQUAL

There is increasing pressure for libraries to move towards more outcome-based assessment efforts, instead of relying solely on input or resource metrics. This pressure comes from funding authorities as well as users themselves. Outcome measures show how well an organization serves its users, and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) members are continually searching for new measures that demonstrate their efficiency and effectiveness. The LibQUAL+™ project is one of several begun under the ARL New Measures Initiative. Cowles Library undertook this initiative during the Spring of 2003, 2005, and 2007, and plans to periodically update results by re-surveying its users. The library also utilizes other methods to assess its effectiveness including collection and analysis of statistical measures, and consideration of “Best Practices” in similar types of academic libraries. The LibQUAL project will allow libraries to compare their service quality with other peer institutions, to develop benchmarks, to receive information about areas needing improvement and to identify best practices across institutions. By using the LibQUAL+™ instrument and initiating action based on the results of this survey, Cowles Library can be more responsive to user needs and provide services to meet user expectations.

3. Procedures for Ordering a Monograph/Book or Media (DVD, Video)

Each School/College (and in the case of the College of Arts & Sciences, each Department) is given an allocation each year from which to place orders for monographs (books) or media (DVD, Video). Any faculty member may place an order for a book or media to be added to the library collection, but should check with the Liaison of their School/College/Department to determine if a procedure is in place for submitting its orders. Some Departments allocate their library budget allotment among their faculty members and closely track the spending. Individuals may also place a book or media order request from the Cowles Library web site, via e-mail, or by campus mail provided that the book meets with the previously stated selection criteria. Note that the preference for media material requested is the DVD format. VHS tapes are purchased only when the DVD version is unavailable.

4. Procedures for Ordering a Serial/Journal (print and electronic)

Serial/Journal subscriptions are ongoing budgetary commitments, including committing the library to an on-average 10% inflation rate per year. Consequently, new subscriptions must be justified (i.e., unmet curricular need), and also must include the identification of funds to support the subscription. This is accomplished by identifying a title or titles of approximately similar cost to be discontinued. Since subscriptions are “assigned” to the various Departments, any individual faculty member who wishes to initiate a new subscription must coordinate this request within his/her department by first contacting his/her assigned Department Faculty Liaison. The Department Liaison will then coordinate the review of the journal title list within his/her department to ascertain if the department wishes to begin the new subscription, and, if so, which title(s) will be canceled in order to fund it.

Each spring the Collection Development Librarian will, upon request, provide a list of serial/journal titles assigned to each College/School (and in the case of the College of Arts & Sciences, each Department). This list will be provided to either the Department Chair or the Departmental Library Liaison.
Ideally, each College/School/Department will review the list for potential changes in regard to changing curricular needs, etc.
Either the Department Chair or the Departmental Library Liaison will notify the Collection Development Librarian of any changes to be made in the list by the end of the spring semester.
Serial/journal renewals are processed during the summer and are due to the serials vendor in late summer (note: these renewals/cancellations/additions take effect during the next calendar year. For example: renewals/cancellations/additions submitted to the Collection Development Librarian in May 2008, would take effect on January 1, 2009).
At the time the title list is provided for review, the Collection Development Librarian will notify the Department Chair and/or the Departmental Library Liaison of the “bottom line” figure to be achieved. Generally speaking, this will be a “break even” figure. Generally, if a subscription is added, a subscription of equal or greater cost must be discontinued.
For those years in which the library does not receive funding adequate to maintain the current level of serials expenditures (given the annual 10% inflation rate), the Collection Development Librarian will, as soon as the budget information is made available to her/him, notify the Department Chair and the Departmental Library Liaison of the need to cancel subscriptions. The serial/journal lists will be provided (according to the procedures outlined above) to accomplish this goal. If the Department does not respond (that is, provide a list of titles to discontinue within the target figure), the Library Faculty will make the decision about which titles to discontinue.

5. Procedures for Ordering an Electronic Database

(for electronic journals see “4. Procedures for ordering a Serial/journal” section above) I. Introduction to the Criteria The number of electronic resources available to libraries on a subscription/licensing basis continues to increase exponentially. As Cowles Library has moved into a truly multi-platform environment, making information resources available to its users in a variety of formats, both librarians and university faculty frequently initiate requests for subscriptions to new electronic products. In order to give all requests due consideration and to insure that faculty understand the process by which we determine which titles to add to our collection, we have developed the following policy. In many ways it is simply an extension of our current collection development policy that was written for print resources. In addition, it incorporates additional criteria that are unique to online resources such as technical requirements and archival capabilities (see “Section VI: Library Collections (Networked)). II. Electronic Selection Criteria Resources will be acquired with the intent of supporting the curriculum; that is, meeting the information and research needs of Drake students and representing value for the money. Faculty may request that a free electronic resource trial be initiated. The request should be addressed to the Librarian Liaison assigned to their College/School/Department, or by directing a request to Teri Koch (teri.koch@drake.edu). The Electronic Resources Specialist will arrange the trial and announce the trial via e-mail to the library faculty and staff. Library Liaisons will forward this information to the department(s) most closely associated with the subject content of the resource. A part of this announcement will include the encouragement of feedback to the Electronic Resources Selection Committee. The trial will also be posted on the Trial Databases webpage so that anyone can demo the product and give their feedback via the Evaluation Form on the Trial Databases page. After the commencement of the trial, if the Electronic Resources Selection Committee (ERSC) has received two or more positive responses, the Library will consider subscribing to the resource based on criteria listed in “Section VI: Library Collections (Networked).” Note also that the library will consider joint purchasing through grant and Departmental funds. Purchases with joint funds will require special negotiations.

6. Drake Digital Repository

The Cowles Library at Drake University has an institutional repository/digital archive for the scholarly output of the Drake University community (eScholar Share). The goal of the institutional repository is to preserve and make more widely available to the international scholarly community the intellectual output of the Drake University community. The Drake Digital Repository consists of two components: the institutional repository, or “eScholarShare@Drake,” representing the intellectual output of Drake faculty, staff and students; and the Drake Digital Heritage Collections, a digital archive of Drake’s history, which comprise selected items culled from the current Special Collections Department.

7. Policy regarding duplication of materials held at the Opperman Law Library

Cowles Library will not duplicate materials already held by the Law Library unless any of the following criteria are met:

Cowles Library collects the subject at a graduate or research level (4 or 5) so that the lack of the material would be detrimental to the subject collection as a whole.
The work (regardless of collection level) is seminal or of such importance that: A. to not have it in the library would be detrimental to the entire collection or, B. if the Law Library discarded the work, the collection in Cowles Library would suffer.
Similar works or previous volumes/editions already exist in the Cowles Library collection and to have part of the work at another location would be a hindrance to research.
It is determined that the price of the material is low enough to justify having a duplicate copy in Cowles Library.
Any Drake faculty, staff or student can make a persuasive argument in favor of duplicate purchase (the final decision would rest with the Collection Development Librarian).

8. Policy for retention of duplicate print and microform journal holdings if a title is owned in a permanent digital format

Preface: Many titles previously purchased by Cowles Library in print format, are now available electronically (through databases such as JSTOR and ProjectMUSE). In order to reduce duplication, save money and conserve shelf space, the following policy was developed. If Cowles Library has both print and electronic subscriptions to a journal title, the print subscription will be cancelled and the duplicate print and microform holdings weeded from the shelves if the following conditions are met:

The subscribed online content must be available regardless of our subscription status, also known as “perpetual access.” In other words, Cowles Library needs to own the electronic content. For example, if Cowles Library subscribes to a journal electronically in 2009, and then cancels the subscription in 2010, the 2009 content must remain accessible.
The online content must be equal to or greater than print content. Tables, illustrations, figures and text must be of comparable quality to the print version. If such quality is found lacking, the print version may be retained.
Online content must be presented in similar way as the print content. PDF files should “look like” the print version of the article. If duplicate content is only available in HTML or other formats that are not easy to read, the print version may be retained.
Online access should preferably be through IP or other multiple-user platforms. A single username/password to access content is not acceptable for access.

9. Policy for removal of duplicate print and microform journal holdings if a title is owned in a permanent digital format

If a title is identified through the “Policy for retention of duplicate print and microform journal holdings if a title is owned in a permanent digital format,” the procedure for removal is:

On a regular basis, the library will compile a list of print and microform holdings which are available in a permanent online format.
New titles identified by the library as appropriate for removal will be vetted through the appropriate library liaison before any action is taken.
If the library liaison and the library agree that the print copy can be removed, all duplicate holdings will be de-selected from library holdings.
If the permanent electronic version is current (i.e., there is no embargo), the print version will be canceled unless the library liaison can give compelling reason otherwise.
If the electronic version of a print title marked for removal adds online content on a regular basis (e.g., JSTOR): a. The print content will only be removed after it has been verified as available in a permanent electronic format (e.g., the 2008 print issues will only be removed after the library knows that 2008 content is available online) b. Each subsequent weeding will NOT be vetted through academic departments.

New print issues that will one day be superseded by the electronic edition will NOT be bound.

10. E-books (print vs. online) collecting factors

See also Reference Book policy in “Section V: Library Collections Physical, #1. Books/Monographs.” Cowles Library will purchase a print version of a monograph held in electronic format unless any of the following criteria are met:

The monograph is a Reference Work – in which case, refer to the Reference Book Policy.
Cowles Library owns the electronic version of the monograph (i.e., perpetual access).
The cost of the print version is prohibitively expensive.
The monograph is not an essential resource (according to the Conspectus Levels or the Collection Development Librarian) and having electronic access to the work (whether perpetual or temporary) is sufficient.

Collection Development Policy

Drake University Cowles Library

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

II. Budget Allocation / Conspectus / Supplemental Funds

III. Curricular Analysis

IV. Selection Factors

V. Library Collections (Physical) – materials housed in the library

VI. Library Collections (Networked) – electronic resources

VII. Physical Collection Maintenance

VIII. Special Considerations

IX. Library Liaison Program

X. Appendix

I. Introduction

Library Mission Statement

University Mission Statement

Statement of Purpose

Intellectual Freedom & Diversity

II. Budget Allocation / Conspectus / Supplemental Funds

Conspectus:

Supplemental Gift Funds:

III. Curricular Analysis

Collection Statement: Cowles Library Information Resources

Physical Collections

Electronic Resources

Interlibrary Loan

Cowles Library does not actively collect

Collection Level definitions:

Subject descriptors/collection levels:

Definition of “Core” and “Research” Collections

IV. Selection Factors

V. Library Collections (Physical): materials housed in the library

1. Books/Monographs

A. Microforms: Monographic Microfilm/fiche

2. Government Documents

3. Special Collections

4. Media

5. Serials

A. Policies pertaining to different types of serials subscriptions:

VI. Library Collection (Networked): electronic resources to which the library provides access

1. Purpose

2. Broad Categories

3. Selection Considerations

4. Electronic/digital Subscriptions

5. Goals and Priorities

6. Licensing

7. Specific Formats

8. Usage Statistics

9. Electronic Collection Maintenance

10. Weeding

VII. Physical Collection Maintenance:

1. Binding

2. Conservation & Preservation

3. Replacements

4. Weeding

VIII. Special Considerations

1. Approval Plans/Standing Orders/Blanket Orders

2. Gifts

3. Browsing Materials

4. Reserve Materials /Electronic Reserve Materials

5. Theses/Dissertations

IX. Library Liaison Program

1. The goals of the Library Liaison Program are:

2. Librarian Liaison guidelines

3. Departmental (discipline-based) Liaison guidelines

X. Appendix

1. ACRL Standards for Libraries in Higher Education

2. LibQUAL

3. Procedures for Ordering a Monograph/Book or Media (DVD, Video)

4. Procedures for Ordering a Serial/Journal (print and electronic)

5. Procedures for Ordering an Electronic Database

6. Drake Digital Repository

7. Policy regarding duplication of materials held at the Opperman Law Library

8. Policy for retention of duplicate print and microform journal holdings if a title is owned in a permanent digital format

9. Policy for removal of duplicate print and microform journal holdings if a title is owned in a permanent digital format

10. E-books (print vs. online) collecting factors

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