Selection criteria for different material types include:
- Titles identified as core to a program;
- Authority (reputation of author, contributors, editorial board, etc.);
- Reputation of publisher;
- Currency and timeliness (in subject areas where this is applicable);
- Reviews and subject recommendations;
- Lasting value to subject area;
- Relationship of title to existing collection (duplicates or updates, cover gaps, extends breadth and depth of coverage);
- Quality (of illustrations, etc.);
- Format (should be in a format suitable for circulation, does not require equipment no longer maintained in the library, or special storage and maintenance);
- General interest and demand;
- Cost.
Additional criteria for periodicals:
- Availability of indexing and finding tools (exceptions to this may occur, particularly in the area of art or local publications);
- Scope, authority and duration of a publication;
- Post-termination access for electronic titles;
- Cost, including annual inflation rates.
Additional criteria for electronic resources include:
- Technical feasibility;
- Functionality and reliability;
- Vendor support;
- Supply;
- Licensing.
Exclusions:
The following types of materials, unless they can be shown to serve a recognized need not met by comparable materials, are not considered for acquisition:
- Textbooks and accompanying material. Exceptions include textbooks recognized as exceptional or classics to their field of study, or in the case, where they are the only source of information in an area.
- Specialized titles or subject areas beyond the needs of the programs of study;
- Rare materials; and limited editions;
- Formats not easily accessible or supported by library equipment or facilities;
- Out-of-print materials. Exceptions may include titles that meet a particular need in the collection.
