Collection Development
Learn how we make decisions about adding items to the University Libraries collections
Collection Development Practices and Policies
The primary purpose of the University Libraries collections is to serve the curricular and research needs of students, faculty, staff, administrators, and others associated with the University of Northern Colorado. Our top priority in purchasing and licensing content is to ensure that these needs are satisfied.
Other collection foci for new purchases include:
- Elevating authors from minoritized populations
- Striving to provide materials that make all people feel welcome and seen
- Providing materials in a variety of formats to meet different learning styles
- Enhancing our premier collections in the areas of education and music
The Head of the Collections & Discovery department, along with faculty in the department, makes decisions about the collection. They often consult with University Libraries Leadership Group and University Libraries Administration. They will also consult with other Libraries personnel or campus partners when needed.
Acknowledgment of Harm in Collections
University Libraries acknowledge that items in our collections may be harmful to members of our community. Historic texts often contain language and ideas that are offensive to modern readers. University Libraries cannot provide trigger warnings or background information on works or authors.
University Libraries purposefully purchases challenged materials and items covering difficult topics. The correlation between materials that are challenged in libraries and schools and those that fully support the identities of marginalized communities cannot be overstated. Offensive materials are also kept as a part of the historical record. The American Library Association’s ALA Library Bill of Rights and interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights provide further information.
University Libraries makes use of the Library of Congress classification system and the Library of Congress subject headings. These systems allow for the findability of purchased items via the catalog, Summon, and our physical spaces. These systems were created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We acknowledge that both systems use terms and phrases that further marginalize minority voices. We strive to reduce the harm caused by these systems, as we work within the larger library community to forge a better current and future system.
Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries
We are a founding member of the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries. This membership allows us to participate in consortial buying opportunities, as well as access to the Prospector union catalog.
Suggestions
University Libraries welcomes requests for additions to our collections. Each request is handled separately. Whether or not requests can be fulfilled depends on availability of the item, format requested, pricing, among others.
Textbooks
You can request a new journal, but you must provide justification for how it will be used. We often must cancel a current subscription to purchase a new journal.
Deselection
University Libraries actively deselects items from our collections. Please see the Deselection Guide for further information.
Types of Items in the University Libraries Collections
Databases are online collections of materials. They range from niche, subject specific indices to large collections of journal articles aimed at all undergraduates. Databases are usually expensive. They are subscriptions, and therefore increase in price year over year.
You can request a new database, but you must provide justification for how it will be used. We often must cancel a current database or other subscription to purchase a new database.
We take advantage of group purchasing available through the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries and the Colorado Library Consortium when available and advantageous.
We acquire journals in both electronic and print format. E-journals are preferred. Journal subscriptions are maintained both individually and in packages. Package subscriptions are often negotiated at the publisher level.
We take advantage of group purchasing available through the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries when available and advantageous.
Journal subscription prices increase every year. Therefore, the availability of certain journals may change as fiscal constraints are met. We monitor use, and this information feeds into cancellation decisions.
You can request a new journal, but you must provide justification for how it will be used. We often must cancel a current subscription to purchase a new journal.
Books are purchased in both electronic and print format. Format decisions are made based on a variety of criteria:
- Intended use
- Audience
- Availability
- Price
Books are purchased individually, in publisher packages, in subject collection, and available via an aggregator database. University Libraries works with the company GOBI to receive both print and ebooks on approval plans that are tied to the curriculum and research interests of campus. Firm orders for items not available on approval are placed on a regular basis by members of the Collections & Discovery department.
University Libraries activity seeks out books by and for Latine audiences. Mechanisms are in place for students, faculty, and others to make suggestions for additions to our book collections.
University Libraries strives not to purchase a book in multiple formats, but exceptions are made with justification. University Libraries prefers ebooks to be DRM free and unlimited users. This preference is not always possible, especially for those ebooks available via EBSCOhost and ProQuest. Single users copies are routinely purchased from those vendors. Use of ebooks is monitored, and additional “copies” of an ebook will be purchased if necessary.
University Libraries maintains a small collection of rented titles in English and Spanish via Brodart’s McNaughton program. University Libraries subscribes to a small number of novels, popular non-fiction, and audiobooks via OverDrive.
Scores are purchased in both print and electronic format, with print being preferred. An approval plan is in place that elevates composers from the global south, specifically South America. University Libraries provides access to scores for solo instruments and small groups. Study scores for orchestral pieces are occasionally purchased. University Libraries does not purchase full band, orchestra or choir parts, or conductor scores.
Most of the films provided through University Libraries are licensed streaming content. Individual films can be requested, but licensing is not always available. Several subscription packages are offered to meet curricular needs. University Libraries maintains a small collection of DVDs. While requests for DVD can be made, they are generally difficult to fulfill.
We maintain a small collection of anatomical models and other learning materials. These are intended for students in the health and biological sciences. We accept requests for specific models.