Collection development is the planned purchase of materials in various formats to match the instructional and research needs of the institution within its current fiscal environment and resource-sharing opportunities. The guidelines described in the Collection Development Policy are designed to support the Library's overaching mission and vision which work in conjunction with the ALA Bill of Rights & Medical Library Association's Code of Ethics. This is in compliance with our constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, the Library will attempt to provide the widest range of viewpoints based on quality, cost, and availability of the materials for purchase.
Selection
- Books: Book purchases (electronic or print formats) must be relevant to the health sciences and fit the nature of the collection. Librarian and user-based recommendations, usage statistics of previous editions or items covering similar topics are used when selecting books. Online formats will be preferred when available in order to support easy and rapid access for our users.
- Journals: Journals are purchased primarily to support the teaching and research needs of NYU Langone. Priority is given to those publications with multiple requests, high-impact factors, and titles of interest to more than one hospital department.
- Databases & Online Resources: Priority is given to those publications with multiple requests, high-impact factors, and titles of interest to more than one hospital department or user. Resources that are IP authenticated are prioritized and preferred. Resources that require a single username and password may not purchased.
Deselection
- Books & Select DVDS: Criteria for withdrawal include the usage of the item, availability of electronic or more current editions, more than one copy available for circulation, and the physical condition of the item.
- Journals: Typically an evaluation of the journal collection is conducted. Low usage, low or no impact factors, extreme price increases, and problems receiving issues are most often the cause for cancelation.
Departmental Copies
- The library will not purchase or maintain multiple copies of textbooks for departmental use. In rare cases, the library may acquire a single copy of a textbook if it is deemed essential for the general collection or supports significant research or reference needs. Such decisions will be made at the discretion of the collection development team.
Donations
Drawn from the Hollis Health Science Library Collection Development Policy
