Library Policies

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY

NAME OF LIBRARIAN: Tom Bahlinger               DATE: August 28, 2019

NAME OF DEPARTMENT OR SUBJECT: Agriculture

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

            To support the institution’s curriculum, materials will be acquired to keep the collection current on new knowledge, theories, developments and techniques in the field of Agriculture.  The institution does not have an Agriculture program, but many of the topics covered in this category are of general interest to faculty and students.  Collection efforts are aimed at maintaining a well-rounded collection.

SCOPE OF COVERAGE

            Language:  English will be the primary language of the collection, unless there is a special request from a student or faculty for materials in another language, especially Spanish language material.

            Geography:  United States publications are emphasized, with some world agriculture materials purchased.

            Chronology:  Emphasis is placed on the purchase of materials published within the last five years, except in areas covering the history of agriculture.

MATERIAL TYPES

            All formats may be considered for purchase.  Serials are heavily relied upon for current material.  Audiovisual materials will be reviewed for selective additions.  CD-ROMs and DVDs are generally added when accompanying print material, but may be purchased separately when available. Textbooks are not purchased.

SELECTION TOOLS

            Materials will be identified through recommendations in or from:

            Faculty, student, or patron recommendations

            Choice

            Library journal

            Booklist

            [specialized journals]

            Publishers’ Discoverys and flyers

            Guide to reference books [Ref. Z1035.1.G89]

            Books for college libraries [Ref. Z1039.C65 B67]

            Walford’s guide to reference material [Ref. Z1035.1 .W33]

            [specialized reference works:  E&GLI, BGMI, MLA]

RETENTION POLICY

            Most materials will be considered for de-selection within five years of publication. All superseded editions will be removed from the shelves.  Some major reference works and unique publications will not necessarily be deselected.  Materials of historic value or of general interest may be retained beyond the five-year period.  Materials having local connections may be retained indefinitely.