Acquisitions Policy

The Library's mission is, amongst other things, to acquire materials consistent with the present and anticipated educational aims of the University, and material of more general interest to meet some of the social needs of library users. The University is first and foremost a teaching institution and, while its work may cover a spectrum of levels, it is concentrated on undergraduate degrees across a wide range of disciplines.

It is not always possible (or desirable) to distinguish between materials required for undergraduate as opposed to other use, but as first-degree students represent the vast majority of library users the stock will largely reflect their needs.

Library materials

Print materials (books, periodicals, newspapers, reports, theses/essays) represent the largest type of material within the library, but this has been expanded to include multimedia items (videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs etc.) and online resources, and this diversification is encouraged in so far as it meets the educational aims of the University.

Where possible books are purchased in paperback format because they are cheaper than hardbacks, because new editions of some titles, particularly textbooks, are published regularly, and because faculty and courses change over a period of time with implications for the usefulness of the bookstock.

The library is starting  to acquire material in e-book format, or more strictly, e-book texts. Already there are many items available in e-book format (e.g. books from the RAND corporation to name but one) that have already been added to the catalogue and so to Library stock.

Where possible the library gives preference to networked electronic resources over the CD-ROM as the internet offers a wider and easier dissemination of the material.

Where possible, preference is given to the DVD format over video. Even though the long term shelf life of the DVD has not yet been proven, many library users have more ready access to DVD players over video players, and the library would want to encourage the greatest access to materials.

The library has diversified into acquiring other materials (e.g. music CD-ROMs, or multimedia items). The criteria for selecting these are outlined below.

The library has diversified into providing material of a more recreational nature (both books and videos/DVDs). The criteria for selecting these are outlined below.

Excluded material

Generally, the library will not purchase the following types of material:

i) Materials relating to the private research or personal interests of faculty unless they are also of benefit to courses being taught at the University.

ii) Materials that support courses faculty are teaching elsewhere.

iii) Spirally bound monographs, because these deteriorate quickly and are especially vulnerable to vandalism.

iv) Charts, maps, posters etc.

v) Computer software.

 

Selection policy

All members of the University community are at liberty to suggest items to be added to stock, and there is often some consultation with Faculty, but ultimately the responsibility for the selection of library materials lies with the professional library staff.

Books

The professional librarians (under the general supervision of the Library Services Librarian) are responsible for co-ordinating and controlling all book buying for the library because:

i) they liaise regularly with Faculty and are aware of their requirements.

ii) they form the mainstay of the Library's reference services and are therefore familiar with the information needs of faculty and students.

iii) they are generally knowledgeable about what is being published (through their scanning of publisher's catalogues and other new book alerting materials).

iv) they are familiar with the basic texts, the respected authors and the major publishing houses in different disciplines.

In their selection of the bookstock the librarians allocate priorities within the guidelines of this policy statement and within any current demands that are being made on library resources. In addition to relating purchases to the curriculum they also take into account:

i) possible future developments within the University

ii) the need to maintain the balance and quality of the collections

iii) the depth of coverage within any specific subject area

iv) the desirability of stimulating intellectual curiosity and encouraging independent learning
 

Videos and DVDs

The professional librarians (under the general supervision of the Library Services Librarian) are responsible for co-ordinating and controlling all buying of videos and DVDs for the library. They are also proactive in collecting off-air recordings, and liaise closely with the AV technician to effect this. All purchases and recordings must conform to the requirements of the ERA (Educational Recording Agency) licence. When considering materials for stock the following criteria apply:

i) with regard to films and documentaries preference is given to shop-bought copies, as opposed to off-air recordings, as the quality may generally be better, and the recording, without the inclusion of advertisements, generally runs more fluidly.

ii) off-air recordings are selected by the professional library staff, from a perusal of a television guide, or are recommended to the AV technician by Faculty, and are generally items that support the curriculum.

Periodicals

Generally, periodical titles are chosen to support the present and anticipated learning within the University.

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