Collection Development Policy
Selection
The policy for selection of learning Resource Services materials appears in the NVCC Faculty Handbook: 3.7300 Selection of LRS Materials.
The guidelines for the selection of materials are set forth in the following college-wide selection policy. The policy of Northern Virginia Community College, through its Learning Resource services, is to select, commensurate with budgetary and space allocations, materials in all formats which support:
1. the aims and objective of the College;
2. courses offered in the curriculum of a given campus;
3. teaching methods of faculty members of a given campus;
4. special needs of students of a given campus, including leisure reading; and
5. professional development reading for faculty and staff.
In the fulfillment of these objectives, selection of materials is considered to be a cooperative responsibility, with participation and recommendations by librarians, faculty, staff, students, and Learning Resources committees.
Responsibility for selection and quality of these materials on each campus rests with the Director of Learning Resource Services. The College holds to the tenet that professional integrity and responsibility to the academic community served by the College involves the freedom of access to a wide spectrum of significant materials which represent all sides of controversial or partisan issues and meet the educational objective of the College.
This selection policy applies equally to all resource materials, whether acquired by purchase, gift or exchange.
Faculty recommendations for materials will be honored to the extent that funds are available in the library book budget. Librarians also participate in material selection by reading and selecting from such professional journals as Library Journal and Choice.
All librarians and library practitioners should make a note of particular materials frequently requested (especially through intercampus loan) and subject areas in which patrons frequently have been unsuccessful in locating materials.
Criteria for material selection are given below. Materials are prioritized based on the number of criteria they match:
1. is the material related to programs or courses on this campus (especially multi-disciplines)?
2. is it probable that the material will circulate or be used?
3. is the material favorably reviewed?
4. are more materials on this subject or of this type needed?
5. will the material be dated quickly?
6. is the price reasonable in comparison to the value that will be received?
Weeding
The collection is periodically reviewed and materials are withdrawn when they meet the following criteria:
1. do not meet one or more of the selection criteria listed in the Faculty Handbook (3.7300);
2. are outdated editions or formats with no historical value;
3. are unused or uncirculated for at least five years. If the item is the last copy of that material in the NVCC collection and still meets selection criteria, the item may be kept for the good of the college collection;
4. provide information that is no longer current or accurate; or
5. are worn or damaged beyond repair. If the subject of the damaged item is not covered by other materials in the collection and the subject area is still relevant to the college's needs, a replacement or another item on the same subject will be ordered when funds are available.
Material should not be discarded if:
1. it is part of a set that is being retained;
2. it is a literary classic; or
3. the material has historical value.
As in the selection process, faculty input is elicited when questions arise regarding discarding material in their field.
Withdrawn materials will be disposed of following institutional and state guidelines.