Collection Development

Answered By: John DeLooper

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2023 Views: 452

Collection Development - Donation – Weeding Policy

Based on annual allotment of funds - the Library’s top priority is to support Lehman College’s undergraduate and graduate curriculum and instruction. In addition, the Library acquires print, electronic, and multimedia resources to support faculty research and scholarship. Our overall objective is to build a balanced and comprehensive collection of quality, authoritative, and current research, reflecting a multiplicity of viewpoints and perspectives that are accessible and discoverable.

Purchase of course textbooks and supplemental readings is limited by budget and number of students enrolled in the course. Faculty is encouraged to provide a desk copy of the required text when the publisher supplies one - or may donate funds to Friends of the Library for an eBook copy of required and supplemental texts.

American Library Association states, A diverse collection should contain content by and about a wide array of people and cultures to authentically reflect a variety of ideas, information, stories, and experiences.

Accordingly – the Library will develop a diverse collection by:

selecting content in multiple formats
considering resources from independent, small, and local Bronx and New York City self-published producers
seeking content created by and representative of marginalized and underrepresented groups
evaluating how diverse collection resources are cataloged, labeled, and displayed
when possible, including content in all languages used in the community served by the Library
when possible, consider and curate openly available resources.

Multimedia

The Library collects multimedia resources to support Lehman’s curriculum across all disciplines, foster research, as well as enhance student learning, cultural enrichment, and intellectual advancement.

The multimedia subject librarian welcomes purchase recommendations from faculty, though breadth is limited by the budget.

Selection criteria include:

Capacity to support curricula or faculty research
Potential active use by Lehman community
Faculty recommendation
Quality and cultural enrichment value

Generally, the Library does not collect commercial or feature films, unless they have cultural value or are being used within a course. Faculty will be referred to their local public library or commercial resources for these products. Most films based on literary works will be purchased.

The primary collection format is DVD - with VHS as a backup when DVD is not available. Currently, we do not have capacity to support high definition formats or computer application software.

The secondary collection format is through Kanopy, a video streaming platform to which the Library subscribes. Licensing of documentaries is limited by budget. Individual films expire after a one or three year subscription.

Donations

The Library prefers titles published within the past ten years [five years for sciences and health sciences]. Before arranging for delivery of materials - donors should prepare a list of the number of titles including author, title, publisher, publication date, and condition. The subject librarian reviews this list and determines whether or not material will be accepted.

Donors will receive an acknowledgement letter from the Library noting the number of books donated. The Library reserves the right to incorporate material into its collection - or may sell or dispose of it at its discretion.

Weeding Guidelines

Library faculty systematically reviews stack holdings, electronic resources, and donations to evaluate what to acquire or discard in order to maintain a useful and current collection. Weeding criteria may be modified for specific subject areas.

Replacements - New Editions – Binding – Mending

When identifying items for withdrawal – library faculty may decide whether to request replacements, newer editions, or recommend rebinding. Faculty should maintain ongoing list of titles to order when budget permits.

Government Documents

When withdrawing Depository items [Technical manuals in Science, Health; Education Reports] - please inform Government Information Librarian, as there are guidelines for discarding.

Print Book Criteria

Content	Is content of book relevant to collection goals?
Copyright	Is content outdated?
Condition	Is book extremely worn?
Circulation history	Is book being borrowed? Run circulation history reports.
Currency	Is newer information available? Does Library offer another available format? Can it be replaced by eBooks or online information?
Duplication	Are multiple copies still circulated? Is information available in another source?

Books to Consider Keeping

Books donated with Gift Plates
Books by Lehman faculty
Check Faculty Publications, https://www.lehman.edu/library/faculty-publications.php
Classic titles
Titles on local history or by local authors
College publications [yearbooks]
Titles on current syllabi
Out-of-print titles that are still useful and irreplaceable
Biographical titles

Books to consider for Withdrawal

Items with physical deterioration: missing pages, damaged bindings, water or mold damage
Superseded editions
Materials which no longer support curriculum, outdated, or contain inaccurate information
Excess duplicate copies. Two copies are sufficient unless proven demand exists. Exceptions are classics and consistently taught literary works.
Old textbooks [more than 5-7 years old] - unless they are considered standards
Encyclopedia sets, computer software and manuals, training manuals, or damaged spiral-bound books
If uncertain, check circulation record or whether title is owned by another CUNY library

eBook Criteria

Content	Is the content of eBook relevant to collection goals?
Copyright	Is content outdated?
Circulation History	Is the book being borrowed? [Run reports, usage statistics]
Currency	Is newer information available? Does Library offer it in another available format? Can it be replaced by online information?
Duplication	Are multiple copies still circulating? Is information available in another source?

eBooks to Consider Keeping

eBook purchase through Friends of the Library donation.
Digital donor acknowledgment entered in online catalog.
eBooks by Lehman faculty
Check Faculty Publications: https://www.lehman.edu/library/faculty-publications.php
Classic titles
Titles on local history or by local authors
Titles on current syllabi
Biographical titles

eBooks to Consider for Withdrawal

Superseded editions
Material which no longer supports curriculum, outdated, or contains inaccurate information
Excess duplicate copies. Exceptions are classics and consistently taught literary works.
If uncertain - check circulation/database record or whether e-title is owned by another CUNY Library.