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Collection Development Policies & Procedures

Collection Development denotes the activities that ensure that the University Libraries include in their collections the books, periodicals, and other appropriate library materials to support the institutional and research programs of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and provide access to them. Funds are allocated by type of material (book, periodical, microforms, electronic resource, etc.), and by academic subject area. Collection Development also encompasses associated activities such as evaluation, location, weeding, and preservation.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is designated as a Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education R1 university offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Described as a process to support the instructional and research programs of the University, the following criteria influence Collection Development:

  • college curriculum
  • faculty research interests
  • general university goals
  • use of library materials
  • content value of library materials

Levels of collection development intensity are the product of these factors either on an individual basis or in varying combinations.

In short, collection development is the process of supplying the needed library materials to support both institutional goals and the needs of library users. Dupré Library strives to provide equitable support to all areas of academic endeavor and research. Its mission includes the following specific goals:

  • To provide books and other forms of library materials that support the instructional programs of the University, and to anticipate needs arising as a result of new courses and degree programs.
  • To obtain materials through purchase, interlibrary loan, licenses, or on-demand document delivery, needed to fulfill the research requirements of the faculty and graduate students.
  • To provide books facilitating personal growth and maturity, tolerance and understanding of various cultures, ability to adjust to changing times, and recreational reading.
  • To collect all available information about this region as well as other materials to enrich the cultural, professional, and economic lives of the people of Acadiana.

The physical type of library materials, as well as the scope of foreign language materials considered for library acquisitions, is also addressed in the Gift Materials Policy Statement. In summary, multiple copies, textbooks, and some non-book materials generally are not collected. Materials in languages other than English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Latin are collected selectively.

Dupré Librarians actively seek suggestions for additions to the library's collection from members of the faculty. Each academic department is allocated a portion of the Materials Budget for the purchase of library materials that will support classroom instruction and research. However, the overall responsibility for total collection development rests in the hands of the Departmental Librarians and the Library Representatives, whose task is to ensure that the library collections closely support the instructional and research programs of the University within the level of funding available. A list of more specific guidelines concerning collected materials follows.

Collection Development Guidelines

Collection Needs

The library collects for both present and future needs.

Format

The library collects monographs, serials, microforms, and nonprint media. Generally not collected for the circulating collection are films, slides, filmstrips, transparencies, pamphlet material, maps or obsolete media formats. Special Collections areas have different format guidelines.

Language

The library purchases materials in languages appropriate to University teaching and research needs including English, French, German, and Spanish and less frequently in Italian and Latin. Materials in other languages are less often acquired but may be purchased upon request by the faculty, or accepted as gifts at the discretion of the Collection Development Librarian.

Serials

The library aims to collect a broad spectrum of serial titles that support the curriculum and research needs of the faculty, and titles indexed in the standard indexes. Since a serial subscription represents an ongoing financial commitment, new serials are added only at the discretion of the E-Resources and Serials Librarian.

Electronic Resources

Online resources are reviewed and purchased by the E-Resources Committee, according to their own criteria. For more information, view the E-Resources & Serials Collection Development Policy.

Subject Matter

The University curriculum is the primary consideration for the subject matter of library materials added to the collection. Collection Development strives to build a collection capable of supporting undergraduate instruction, graduate study, and advanced research. Louisiana materials, especially Acadiana materials, are collected exhaustively.

Gifts

Gifts are accepted at the discretion of the Collection Development Librarian and are the subject of a separate gifts policy statement. For more information, view the Donations & Gifts Policy.

Exclusions

Generally, the library does not collect textbooks, duplicate copies of little used materials, new editions that lack substantial change from earlier editions already owned, or out-of-scope materials.

Replacement

Books that are found to be beyond repair or are eligible for deselection may consider for replacement at the discretion of the Collection Development Librarian or Departmental Librarian. Replacement copies will reflect the copy up for discard by copyright or publication date as closely as possible unless the information is significantly out of date. Then the library will seek to replace it with a more current copy if available.

Deselection Policy

Deselection is the process of taking outdated and obsolete resources out of the library collection. Items are considered for deselection on an item-by-item basis in accordance with this policy, the library collection development policy, and the overall mission and goals of the library. This policy applies to the general collection. Other specialized areas or library collections may develop policies. For more information, view the Deselection Policy.

Contact

Andrea Flockton | Master Instructor and Head of Collection Development
(337) 482-6677 | colldev@louisiana.edu

[ Last Revised on February 24, 2022 ]