Collections Strategy

QA802 Collections Strategy

The Library seeks to proactively support and enhance the learning, teaching and research activities of the University by providing seamless access for all its users to excellent and relevant collections. 

Our collections comprise many formats and media including print books, e-books, print and e-journals, databases, special collections, archives, AV material, microform, newspapers etc.  In managing and delivering seamless access to these collections, the library faces many challenges: 

• There are competing demands for the limited space available within the Library and on campus. 
• The publishing world is in a period of transition between traditional print publishing and the maturing world of e-books and e-journals. 
• Our users’ preferences continue to vary greatly with some preferring e-books and others print books. 
• Our users increasingly expect instant access to the information they need and there can be extremely high, but short term, demand for course textbooks and prescribed readings. 

Key Principles

This strategy aims to set out some key principles which will inform the future acquisition, storage, management and delivery of access to collections.  It strives to address the challenges outlined above.

• We value and will continue to develop, preserve and promote our unique heritage print collection as an asset of the University.
  
  
• We will acquire and retain a single copy of all print books that are of on-going relevance to the needs of our University community.
  
  
• We will retain and preserve our print journal archive in specific areas as per the Long Term Print Journal Archive Policy.
  
  
• We will continue to prefer e-only subscriptions to current journals, where that subscription provides perpetual access to the years subscribed.
  
  
• We will continue to maximise e-collections for ease of access from anywhere anytime.
  
  
• We will regularly undertake collection reviews with a view to applying these principles to our existing collections.
  
  
• We will ensure our collections (regardless of format) are accessible, easy to find and attractively presented to support browsing and discovery.
  
  

Related Documents

• Collections Strategy for Teaching and Learning

• Collection Management Policy - published 2009 and currently under review

• Print Journal Archive Title List