Penn State University Libraries - John M. Lilley Library at Penn State Erie

Collection Development Statement
John M. Lilley Library
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College

Introduction
The mission of the John M. Lilley Library is to provide information services and resources in a manner that is supportive of, and consistent with, the visions and missions of Behrend College and the University Libraries. Central to the Library’s purpose is to identify, acquire, organize, and make accessible those materials necessary to support the instructional, research, and public service needs of the Behrend College faculty, students, and staff.

This Collection Development Statement provides a framework to guide in selection and purchase decisions. This document is not intended as a procedures manual, but rather as a statement of guiding concepts, goals, and priorities. As such, it should assist those who select library materials for purchase by providing parameters for a shared vision and consistent approach to collection-building, as well as to define for library staff, college faculty and administrators the scope and goals of the library collection. This document is not intended to be static; rather it must be flexible and responsive to change as future conditions warrant.

Collection Objectives
It is important to make the distinction between the nature of a college library and that of the research library. As a college library, the Lilley Library seeks to build a collection that supports the curriculum; materials are purchased with the intention that they will receive active use. This is different from the research library, which must take a longer perspective, with broader and deeper collections. Although part of a University Libraries system that is deep in research collections over many subject areas, no attempt is made to build research-level collections within the Lilley Library.
The College faculty, with their understanding of the curriculum, have historically been integrally involved in building the collection. They are encouraged to recommend materials for purchase, since they have expert knowledge and understanding of the needs of their students. The Lilley Library welcomes and relies on the participation of our faculty in the collection-building process, and their recommendations for purchase are given a high priority in the selection process.

Curricular Needs. The primary collection objective is to make available library materials that directly support the college curriculum. The selection process will take into account the subjects and courses that are taught at the College and the level of instruction that is offered: lower level undergraduate, advanced undergraduate, or graduate.

Research Needs. The Lilley Library plays an important role in providing for the research needs of the College faculty. A vast array of research-level journal holdings is readily available from the University Libraries electronic subscriptions, making the individual desktop the primary means of access. In regard to both monographs and journal articles that are not readily available, the Lilley Library supports research by providing superior access through the effective use of intercampus and interlibrary loans. In general, this means that research-level materials, both serial and monographic, are not added to the print collections.

Intellectual Life of the College. The Lilley Library acknowledges its role in contributing to the educational process by acquiring materials that contribute to the general intellectual life of the College, that promote intercultural understanding, and that support student life. Recommendations from faculty, staff, and students in support of this role are welcomed and encouraged.

Selection Criteria
To promote the good stewardship of library acquisition funds, and to build a collection that best supports collection objectives, the following selection criteria (in addition to other criteria mentioned in this document) should be kept in mind by those who recommend materials for purchase:

- Direct relationship to curricular needs
- Appropriateness of the level of treatment (basic undergraduate, advanced undergraduate, graduate level)
- Positive book reviews from authoritative sources
- Authority of the author; reputation of the publisher
- Lasting value of the content
- Cost relative to anticipated use

The selection criteria above apply to all library materials. However, due to basic differences between serials and monographs, specific criteria are enumerated below.
Serials. The selection of new serial titles must be made with great care since they represent a substantial investment in library funds and labor, especially in view of the on-going nature of the commitment.

Format and duplication considerations. The University Libraries maintains strong electronic serial and journal holdings as a foundation of its collections. In the case of titles that are available online through a current University Library subscription, the addition of a print subscription to the Lilley Library collection will only occur with a compelling reason. As a general rule, cost and anticipated use will be determining factors; high-priced and/or highly scholarly titles that are available in electronic format will not be purchased in print format. The duplication of formats – in print and electronic - is to be avoided if possible. On the other hand, titles of general interest, those with a strong browsing appeal, or those that otherwise fall in line with collection objectives, will receive consideration for print format purchase in spite of existing electronic access.

Monographs. The following considerations apply to monographs:

Textbooks. Generally textbooks will not be acquired unless they represent a significant contribution to the field or if there is a scarcity of material in the subject area.

Multiple Copies. Normally only one copy of a title will be acquired.

Foreign Language Materials. As a rule, foreign language material will be limited to titles directly related to course instruction in modern or classical languages.

Duplication within the University Libraries Collections. When making selections, consideration will be given to existing copies of the title within the University Libraries, so that no unnecessary duplication occurs. Resource- sharing and economizing are encouraged but not at the expense of local needs.

Gifts
The library collection is developed not only through purchase but also through the acceptance of suitable gifts. Gifts are evaluated and added to the collection by the same selection criteria that apply to works that are considered for purchase. Gift materials are accepted with the understanding that they become the property of the University Libraries. University Library policy states that the Library “may ask to review material prior to acceptance and must reserve the right to refuse an offer of material that is already held in the collections or that does not meet collection needs.”

The Lilley Library will generally not add the following types of gift offerings to its holdings:

- Subject matter falls beyond the scope of the collection
- Outdated or superseded materials
- Odd or incomplete journal issues
- Materials in poor physical condition
- Duplicates
- Materials subject to restrictions by the donor

Collection Maintenance
High quality library collections depend not only on the acquisition of appropriate materials but also on the care and maintenance of existing collections. The two areas of collection maintenance are de-selection and preservation.

De-selection. It is advisable that those materials that no longer meet the selection criteria be culled or “weeded” from the collection. The primary considerations for withdrawal include materials that are no longer relevant to the existing curriculum, contain outdated or inaccurate content, exhibit little or no usage over many years, are in poor physical condition, have been superseded by later editions, or have been duplicated in electronic format. The presence of one of more of these criteria is cause to consider an item to be reviewed for withdrawal. When appropriate, materials recommended for withdrawal will be reviewed in consultation with the faculty; the Library Director maintains ultimate responsibility for the removal of materials from the collection.

Preservation. The Lilley Library strives to keep its holdings in good condition through such measures as proper handling, binding, rebinding, repair, or replacement. Both staff time and library funds are committed to these efforts.