Linscheid Library
Collection Development Policies
Collection development is a shared responsibility of librarians and the general faculty, coordinated by the Acquisitions Librarian. However, the librarians are responsible for the overall balance and quality of the collection. For this reason, all requests for purchases must be submitted to a librarian. Materials are selected by librarians based on known needs, faculty requests, the curriculum, and other needs. The "book budget" is used for all purchases in all formats, with the exception of specific memorial funds. Once the annual book allotment for the fiscal year is established, library needs for ongoing commitments (standing orders, continuations, reference, replacements, etc.) are then determined and overall budget projections made. Funds remaining after these ongoing library obligations are met are then allocated to the Schools and their Departments so that faculty may provide input in their specific subject areas to the library acquisitions process.
Librarians spend the in house portion of the book budget on the following types of materials:
- General and specialized reference materials
- Notable general collection and interdisciplinary works
- Materials to support the function of the library
- Non-academic materials (works that do not support the curriculum)
The general faculty, working with a librarian liaison, may submit print and non-print orders in accordance with the Acquisitions policies. These orders will be charged against an academic department fund (see the Materials Allocation Formula manual). All materials ordered must be housed in the library collections, so that full access is provided to the entire ECU community.
Link Selection
Links to web sites not affiliated with East Central University have been placed throughout the Linscheid Library web site. All sites chosen by ECU librarians to be linked from the library site are deemed, at the time of their selection, to support the missions of East Central University and the Linscheid Library, and are judged for authority, objectivity, accuracy, currency, and usability. The web sites featured on the Internet Resources by Subject pages are considered to support the ECU curriculum. Because these web sites are not under the control of the library, they may change or disappear without the library's knowledge. No part of the library web site is intended to be a public forum, and links will not be added upon request.
CD-ROMs and Online Databases: Preference for purchase is online databases through the Internet with IP authentication. However, CD-ROMs, along with Government Document CD-ROMs, may be checked out. Also, any of the reference computers may be utilized to access to Government Document CD-ROMs.
College Catalogs: The library now subscribes to CollegeSource on the Internet and no longer purchases the microfiche.
Copyright: The library respects and adheres to applicable copyright laws of the United States of America. Unpublished or copied materials in any form will be added to the collection only when copyright compliance can be verified.
Gifts: See the Gift and Exchange Policy.
Government Documents: The library is a selective federal depository, and an Oklahoma state depository, currently acquiring 45 % of federal depository materials, and 100 % of Oklahoma state depository materials. Acquisition of government document materials is the responsibility of all liaison librarians and overseen by the Government Documents Department.
Microforms: For monographs, paper is the preferred form unless the work is only available in microform (i.e., ERIC documents). For journal retention, the preferred format is determined by the material.
Multiple Copies: A goal of acquisitions is economy; therefore, ordering more than one copy of an item should be done only when need is certain. Use of reserve services is encouraged as an alternative. An exception would be to purchase copies for multiple collections, such as, special collections and the general collection.
Out-of-Print Books: Due to cost, long delays, and staff involvement, out-of-print titles will be acquired only if there is significant need.
Pamphlets, Workbooks, etc.: Ephemeral type items should not be purchased unless they meet a specific need due to the costs of processing, storage, and preservation.
Periodicals: Periodicals are ordered once a year (around September) with input from faculty to the appropriate library liaison. All orders and cancellations are done through the Periodicals Department. Due to rising costs, periodicals must undergo an annual assessment review utilizing use statistics, electronic availability, and need.
Replacements: Any lost or stolen materials will be considered for replacement and purchased from the replacement fund. Outdated or superseded editions will not be reordered unless there is a specific need.
Textbooks: Monographs written primarily as instructional material are usually not considered desirable additions to the collection and should not be ordered. Exceptions should be made if the item will significantly enhance the collection. Textbooks required for East Central University courses will not be added to the collection.
Audiovisuals: Audiovisuals are charged against the same budget as books and periodicals. Audiovisuals are purchased for educational rather than public presentations. All copyright restrictions are respected.
Revised July 2008