Collection Development Policy
Introduction
The Collection Development Policy of the Washington State University (WSU) Health Sciences Library outlines the guiding principles and procedures for the acquisition, maintenance, and deselection of materials in support of the library’s mission to serve the educational and research needs of the health sciences community. This policy serves as a framework for collection development decisions, ensuring that the library’s resources align with the evolving requirements of our patrons, and is implemented alongside the professional discretion of credentialed librarians.
Mission and Scope
The WSU Spokane Library’s collection development endeavors aim to support the academic programs, research, and clinical practice in the health sciences. Materials supporting other WSU programs may be acquired by the Washington State University Libraries located on other campuses.
Selection Criteria
The library employs the following criteria when considering materials for acquisition:
- Relevance to Health Sciences: Materials should support the educational, research, and clinical needs of the health sciences disciplines taught and researched at WSU Spokane, encompassing topics such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, biomedical research, public health, and related fields.
- Authority and Quality: Preference is given to materials authored by recognized experts, published by reputable publishers, and those that undergo rigorous peer review processes. Materials should demonstrate accuracy, integrity, and scholarly or professional merit. Librarian selectors are not responsible for verifying the accuracy of individual sources.
- Currency and Timeliness: Emphasis is placed on acquiring current materials that reflect recent developments, trends, and advancements in the health sciences field. This includes both print and electronic resources, with a focus on up-to-date editions and relevant research.
- Curriculum Support: Materials that align with the specific curriculum needs of health sciences programs offered at WSU Spokane are prioritized. This includes reference works, journals, textbooks and/or supplementary resources that support coursework, assignments, and student learning outcomes.
- Perspectives: The library recognizes the importance accurately reflecting the population within its collection. Efforts are made to acquire materials that represent varied perspectives, populations, and global healthcare practices, promoting a comprehensive understanding of health-related issues.
- Patron Recommendations: The library welcomes suggestions and recommendations for materials from faculty, students, researchers, and the health sciences community. These recommendations are evaluated based on the selection criteria outlined in this policy.
Acquisition Methods
The library employs various acquisition methods to build and maintain the collection, including:
- Purchasing: The primary method of acquisition involves purchasing materials from reputable publishers, distributors, and vendors. This includes print books, e-books, journals, databases, multimedia resources, and other relevant formats.
- Interlibrary Loan: When resources are not available in the library’s collection, interlibrary loan services are utilized to provide access to materials from other libraries and institutions.
- Consortial and Cooperative Agreements: The library actively participates in consortial agreements and cooperative programs to leverage shared resources and enhance access to both specialized health sciences materials and general academic resources.
Collection Maintenance and Deselection
To ensure the collection remains current, relevant, and in good condition, the library conducts regular collection assessments and maintenance activities. These include:
- Weeding and Deselection: Materials that are outdated, damaged, or no longer aligned with the current curriculum and research needs may be withdrawn from the collection following established deselection guidelines.
- Replacement and Preservation: Efforts are made to replace lost, damaged, or heavily used materials that otherwise meet our collection policies for maintenance and acquisition. Preservation measures are implemented to extend the lifespan of physical materials, including appropriate handling, repair, and digitization initiatives where applicable.
Review and Policy Updates
The Collection Development Policy may be reviewed and revised by the library. This ensures that the policy remains aligned with the evolving needs and priorities of the health sciences field, as well as the educational and scholarly mission of WSU Spokane.
