5: Collections
Evaluate & Expand Collections Other Information:
We have put together a full-scale plan to evaluate our collections with special attention given to bound and microform journals
where digitized content is available with assurance into the future (JSTOR titles), reference materials that are out of date,
books that are duplicates or obsolete, and media that is out of date. We have made a conscious decision to give preference
to electronic format where feasible and practical. We currently provide access to over 23,000 journal titles electronically.
The challenges going forward include: resources to continue paying for licenses and a stable Internet environment. In view
of the emerging technologies, ongoing changes in format, and changes in the college curriculum, it is time to restate our
library’s collection development priorities. Increasing pressure on the library’s budget has resulted in a marked decrease
in the number of books purchased. Even as we embrace a wide variety of resources available electronically, we must continue
to add print resources to ensure a balanced collection. Our association with MINITEX may provide opportunities for a new level
of cooperative collection development that would be particularly useful as it relates to print materials. In addition we plan
a visual inventory of our “classics.” Too many of these are badly worn, yellowed, mended, and dirty. In a deliberate effort
to encourage the reading of these important books we plan to prioritize those which we would like to replace with new attractive
editions. Information continues to be made available in new and creative ways, providing the library with opportunities to
investigate and selectively adopt new formats. Currently, downloadable audio books are being produced at an accelerated rate
and vendors are introducing formats such as downloadable video or streaming video. New DVD formats such as Blue Ray will also
impact how consumers choose to use and create video.
Objective(s):
|
