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University of Alberta Libraries

University of Alberta

University of Alberta Libraries Collection Development Policy

November, 2006

This policy establishes the overall selection standards and criteria for the acquisition of library materials. The collection policies of the individual area libraries describe the scope of the collections under their administration.

The University of Alberta Libraries exist primarily to support the University's teaching and research functions and to provide an information source for University staff and the general public. As the repository of one of the major Canadian research collections, the Library also serves the needs of the wider regional, national and international communities. This policy acknowledges the need to rely on cooperative resource-sharing activities to extend the breadth and depth of our collections.

Collection management at the University of Alberta is the responsibility of professional library staff. This function is carried out in consultation with faculty, students and other users. To contact the librarian responsible for collecting materials in your subject area, please visit Liaison Librarians.

The University of Alberta Library subscribes to the professional codes and standards adopted by the Canadian Library Association including the Statement of Intellectual Freedom.

We are committed to the principles of open access, as outlined in the IFLA Statement on Open Access to Scholarly Literature and Research Documentation. Open access (OA) benefits researchers and learners by equalizing access to research information and facilitating scholarly communication. The University of Alberta Libraries include OA products in our collections, and provide support for members of the University of Alberta community who want to publish in OA formats. For more information about open access, please contact your liaison librarian.

General Criteria for Selection of Library Materials

The library will consider acquiring information in any format needed to support the University's academic programs. The following criteria are considered by librarians in the selection of material:

  1. Support of both current and future research or teaching needs.
  2. Appropriateness for graduate or undergraduate programs, and/or research at the University of Alberta.
  3. Quality of the material.
  4. Minimal duplication of materials among the libraries.
  5. Accessibility of appropriate material at other institutions.
  6. Type and cost of support needed for materials selected.
  7. Gift and free materials will be considered for inclusion in the collection according to the same selection criteria used for decisions to purchase materials. ( Information about Donations)

Collections Policies

Revised 11/24/2006