Collection Development

The collection development guidelines provide a basis for the continual assessment, growth, and enrichment of the libraries’ collections in all pertinent formats in accordance with the mission of Lone Star College System. Within this context, these collections are developed to enhance the curriculum, promote scholarship, and supplement area library resources for students, businesses and the community. Each library will use these guidelines to formulate collection development procedures that reflect the needs of its unique patronage.

In recognition of the nature of today’s community college library and the obligation of the library to be responsive to change, the guidelines will be reviewed, and revised accordingly, at least every three years. Any revisions or amendments will be subject to the approval of the Library Executive Council.

The reference librarians are responsible for the development of the physical collections to include all relevant print and media formats. They also recommend pertinent electronic resources. Final approval for all individual college selections rests with the individual college library director. Approval for joint purchases, including licensing fees, rests with the Library Executive Council. Curricular needs are the primary consideration when selecting resources and librarians will endeavor to remain current regarding course assignments and curricular changes. General criteria for selection of materials are listed in Appendix A.

Librarians will encourage the active participation of faculty, administration, students, and community members in the selection process. These library users will be encouraged to recommend resources for purchase. However, in lieu of acquiring resources that do not meet the selection criteria, the libraries will make every effort to locate and borrow these resources through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

 

The libraries of Lone Star College System will participate in mutually beneficial resource sharing agreements within the district in order to expand the depth and breadth of all collections. Those colleges with joint-use agreements with the Harris County Public Library system will follow the Lone Star College System guidelines with regard to the college acquisitions. Dialogue between both library systems is encouraged in order to ensure effective resources for all patrons. Opportunities for cooperative collection development agreements with members of affiliated consortia, or other agencies, will be considered when such arrangements support the mission statements of Lone Star College System and it libraries.

 

The libraries support the principles of the Library Bill of Rights (Appendix B) and the various interpretations that have been adopted by the American Library Association.

In the event that an objection to any library resource is expressed, the complainant may request that the item be reconsidered. The complainant will be asked to complete a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form (Appendix C). The completed form will be reviewed by the library director in a timely manner. The director’s decision to retain or withdraw a challenged resource will be made with respect to the principles of intellectual freedom and in accordance with District selection policy. The complainant will be notified in writing of the director’s decision.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, information resources will be acquired which satisfy the reasonable accommodations provision of the act and provide equal access to information sources. Librarians and faculty may request resources in different formats to meet the needs of those with diverse abilities.Assistive technology equipment and/or software are available on campus for students needing to adapt printed materials in order to use alternative formats.

It is the intent of Lone Star College System that all members of the college community adhere to the provisions of the United States Copyright Law (Title 17, United States Code, Sect. 101, et seq.)

Resources whose periodic updating or set fulfillment is important to the currency and completeness of collections will be purchased as continuations. Each title should be examined by a librarian or subjected to an extensive review process, before it is ordered as a continuation. Final approval rests with the director of each campus library.

Resources missing from the collection, declared lost, or too damaged for further circulation are not automatically replaced. The same criteria for the selection of new materials will be used to justify the purchase of replacement materials.

The libraries accept donations of monetary gifts and library resources. All gifts must be accompanied by a completed gift form signed by the donor. The director and/or reference librarians will work with donors of monetary gifts to select materials useful to the collection. The library accepts gift materials with the understanding that the librarians and library director reserve the right to determine appropriateness and placement in the collection. If adequate storage space and/or processing time are not available, the library director may decline the gifts. Libraries with joint-use agreements may follow the gift guidelines established in conjunction with the partner library.

In order to maintain a collection of optimal usefulness, librarians and faculty will engage in a continual evaluation of materials in all formats. Those materials that are no longer appropriate to the collection will be removed, with the final approval of the director. Weeded material may be offered to another a District library before being withdrawn. Criteria for withdrawal of materials are listed in Appendix D.

Criteria for Selection of Materials

The following criteria are considered in the selection of resources:

• Support of the curricular needs of the colleges’ instructional programs
• Enrichment and support of the existing collection
• Appropriateness for undergraduate use in general education and/or occupational programs
• Timeliness
• Lasting value
• Quality of content and presentation
• Literary merit or artistic quality
• Presentation of alternative viewpoints
• Physical quality and durability
• Appropriateness of format
• Relative cost in relation to the budget and other available materials
• Availability
• Acceptability based on professional selection tools
• Reputation of author/producer
• Frequency of requests for item
• Program accreditation requirements
• Only or best available resource on subject
• General information for college community
• Coverage in library-owned indexes
• Clearly-identified sources of information

Additional criteria for selection of non print and/or electronic resources:

• Technical quality
• Compatibility with college equipment and software
• Availability for preview/approval
• Additional costs such as archiving, updating, training, furniture, space, technical support, and maintenance
• Cost effective replacement for existing resources
• Unique or more efficient information
• Licensing and/or contractual restrictions
• Vendor technical and training support
• Ability to produce archival/backup copies
• Updated on a regular basis by producer/author
• Complete records in citation, abstract, or full-text formats that can be downloaded, emailed, and printed
• Logical and readily navigable user interface
• Online and hard-copy documentation easily located, useful, and logical
• Continuous access with minimal downtime
• Collection and dissemination of usage statistics by vendor in useful format
• Stability of product software and content

Discretionary Collections

The following resources will be collected at the discretion of the individual colleges:

• Pamphlets or other ephemeral materials
• Materials not housed in the library
• Foreign language materials except those which support curricular needs
• Textbooks, lab manuals and/or workbooks required for coursework
• Rare materials requiring special handling
• Mass market paperbacks
• Out of print materials
• Children’s books
• College archival materials

ALA Library Bill of RIghts

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
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Adopted June 18, 1948, by the ALA Council; amended February 2, 1961; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

Appendix C