Resnick Library Overall Collection Development Policy
The collection at Resnick Library is primarily concerned with supporting the research and academic needs of the faculty, staff, and students of the College. Secondary to that is providing the Delhi community with reading and other materials for personal entertainment. The Resnick Library is part of the State University of New York, and as a state institution does provide access to some services to the public.
Materials in the library collection will be selected with regards to their potential for usefulness in student research and support of current and future curriculum at the College. While the Library does maintain a textbook reserve program, no textbooks will be purchased by the Library. Textbooks in the program must be donated or loaned to the Library for use, except those purchased through the special Textbook Reserve Grant program.
3.1.1 Materials are chosen based on the curricular needs, student research needs, and community needs of the College
3.1.2 Item is needed for a class during the semester. Faculty anticipates usage as a resource for an upcoming research assignment. Requests for books needed for a specific class should be submitted the preceding semester, if at all possible
3.1.3 Essential purchase for existing or new class and/or research. Faculty member expects high use into the future, including use by students. This would also be the way to indicate titles needed for reserve for next semester.
3.1.4 Good core title but not essential – Faculty member expects lower use. Librarians determine that the library lacks coverage on specific curricular topics.
3.1.5 Might be nice to have. Faculty member expects little use by students. Would ILL suffice? Library will order at the end of the fiscal year if departmental funds are available.
Language
All materials in the collection will be selected in English.
Exceptions to this policy will be for foreign language studies materials.
Subjects
Each subject area has their own specific collection development policy which goes in to greater detail on the types of materials collected, method for selection, and weeding considerations.
Challenges
The Resnick Library supports the ALA's Library Bill of Rights which states, in part, "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." If an individual has concerns regarding the appropriateness of a resource held within the collection, they may contact the Library Director to express that concern in writing; the written concerns must be specific to the material in question and cite the concerns. Challenges will be reviewed by the Director and relevant subject Librarians who will determine a course of action.
Gift Policy
Resnick Library is grateful for gifts and donations, whether they are books, prints and other appropriate materials, or financial contributions, endowments and special bequests. Such gifts and donations enrich the collection and benefit the greater campus community.
Not all donated materials are suitable for the collection, and Resnick Library cannot promise that gift items will be added to the collection. Gift materials must be evaluated according to the Library's selection policy, which includes relevance to the curriculum and student demand, quality, physical condition, currency, and other factors. Resnick Library makes the final decision on the use or other disposition of all gifts and decides the conditions of display, housing and access to the materials.
Gift materials do not receive donor plates.
Gifts that are not added to the collection are disposed of in a number of ways that may include:
Related issuances of the Library Director are considered part of this policy.