ES4705 - Collection Development Policy

1. Institutional Regulation
   
   The mission of the Des Moines Area Community College Libraries is to provide access to curriculum-related and professional development materials to meet the diverse information needs as well as contribute to the lifelong learning goals of students, faculty, and staff in all College programs and support services. Instructional, professional, and technical services necessary for the use of these resources is also provided. We actively promote the development of information literacy through formal instruction, class presentations and interaction with our library users.
    
2. Procedures
   1. Resource Selection
      The Libraries will collect and make available materials in various formats, which are of academic and/or contemporary significance. The Libraries strive to maintain a quality, balanced collection representing various points of view. Librarians apply professional judgment in developing the Libraries’ collections. Recommendations from faculty, staff, and students are always welcomed and encouraged. It is the responsibility of the librarians to see that the information needs of the college community are met equitably within the framework of the budget. Interlibrary loan is available for materials we do not own and cannot purchase in an effective manner.
   2. Intellectual Freedom
      DMACC Libraries support and adhere to the intellectual freedom guidelines as articulated by the American Library Association (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (http://www.ala.org/acrl/publications/whitepapers/intellectual). The Libraries strive to provide access to materials representing a diversity of views. The Libraries will ensure a balanced collection is maintained through preservation and replacement.
   3. Criteria for Selection
      Selection of library materials will be made based on at least two of the following criteria:
      • Relevance to curriculums, educational programs, and priorities of the College
      • Appropriateness to the user (format, audience, access, language)
      • Favorable reviews in professional and reputable sources
      • Significance and reputation for the author/producer/publisher
      • Currency of information where applicable
      • Cost
      • Availability in the market
      • Availability of materials from other libraries (in the case of expensive or specialized materials)
      • Diversity
      • Relationship to items currently in the collection
      • Importance to a field of study/discipline
      • Promotion of literacy and lifelong learning
   4. Other Selection Guidelines
      As is common in many academic libraries, textbooks will not be purchased. Contemporary works will be collected moderately to promote literacy, entertainment, wellness, and lifelong learning.
   5. Gifts
      Books and other materials are welcome and will follow these guidelines:
      • Acceptance is subject to criteria for selection listed above Decision to accept items into the collection is made by the librarian, who will also determine the classification, shelving, and circulation of the gift items
      • No gifts will be accepted with restrictions
      • All gifts become the property of the Libraries and subject to current policies and procedures
      • Gifts not added to the collection will be discarded
        
        The Libraries will follow the college gift-in-kind policy and procedure when accepting the gift. http://www.dmacc.edu/foundation/Pages/giftsinkind.aspx
         
   6. Collection Maintenance
      The Libraries strive to maintain the integrity of the collection. The condition of titles is systematically reviewed before shelving. Materials in need of repair are evaluated for repair, replacement or discard consideration. The decision to replace, repair or discard lost, damaged or missing items is based on the frequency of circulation in addition to the criteria listed above.
   7. Weeding Criteria
      The Libraries conduct continuous, planned and systematic review of collections. Outdated, worn, or unusable materials will be removed as necessary. Advice concerning withdrawal, retention or replacement of materials is sought from appropriate sources as needed.
      • Relevance to curriculums, educational programs, and priorities of the College
      • Appropriateness to the user (format, audience, access, language)
      • Significance and reputation for the author/producer/publisher
      • Currency of information where applicable
      • Condition
      • Frequency of circulation
      • Availability of materials from other libraries
      • Relationship to items currently in the collection
      • Importance to a field of study/discipline
   8. Discarding Materials
      Library materials to be withdrawn from the Libraries are disposed of in a manner pursuant to college and state laws. Individual requests for discarded materials will not be granted.

November 30, 2021 - Charge go.dmacc to www.dmacc