Collection Development Policies

Collecting Level Codes

The codes and their definitions follow. WWU Libraries have NO Level 5 collections (e.g. there is no subject area in which we search out and collect manuscript material as a conscious policy); Level 4 collections will be rare, if they exist at all. Evaluators must distinguish between Level 4 items and Level 4 collections. Level 0 should be selected if we have a few titles in a given subject area, but are not adding to them.

*NOTE: Evaluators will want to include electronic resources with "defined access.'' Defined access means more than simply providing patrons with access to the Internet and one or more Internet browsers. Defined access refers to menu options on the library or institution's home page, etc., which link the user to owned or remotely accessed electronic resources selected by the library with the needs of its patrons in mind. The level of defined access changes according to the level of the collection, e.g., from limited to extensive to very extensive access to collections of electronic information.

Collecting Levels:

0. Out of Scope

Library does not intentionally collect materials in any format for this subject.

1. Minimal Information Level

A subject area in which few selections are made beyond very basic works. A collection at this level should be frequently and systematically reviewed for currency of information. Superseded editions and titles containing outdated information should be withdrawn. Classic or standard retrospective materials may be retained. Periodicals directly dealing with this topic and in-depth electronic information resources are not collected.

1a. Minimal Level, Uneven Coverage

Few selections are made; there is unsystematic representation of the subject.

1b. Minimal Level, Even Coverage

Few selections are made; basic authors, some core works, and a spectrum of ideological views are represented. Can support fundamental inquiries.

2. Basic Information Level

A selective collection of materials that serves to introduce and define a subject, and to indicate the varieties of information available elsewhere. It may include dictionaries, encyclopedias, access to appropriate bibliographic databases, selected editions of important works, historical surveys, bibliographies, handbooks, and a few major periodicals. The collection is frequently and systematically reviewed for currency of information.

2a. Basic Information Level, Introductory

The emphasis at this level is on providing resources that introduce and define a subject. A collection at this level includes basic reference tools and explanatory works, such as textbooks; historical descriptions of the subject’s development; general works devoted to major topics and figures in the field; and selective major periodicals. The introductory level of a basic information collection is only sufficient to support patrons attempting to locate general information about a subject or students enrolled in introductory courses.

2b. Basic Information Level, Advanced

Basic information about a subject I provided on a wider range of topics and with more depth. There is a broader selection of basic explanatory works, historical descriptions, reference tools, and periodicals and indexes that serve to introduce and define a subject. Access to appropriate bibliographical databases, a selection of editions of important works and a greater quantity and variety of materials is typical. This level is sufficient to support the basic informational and recreational reading needs of a highly educated general public or students through the first two years of college.

3. Study or Instructional Support Level

A collection that is adequate to impart and maintain knowledge about a subject in a systematic way but at a level of less than research intensity. The collection includes a wide range of basic works in appropriate formats, a significant number of classic retrospective materials, complete collections of the works of more important writers, selections from the works of secondary writers, a selection of representative journals, access to appropriate online resources, and the reference tools and fundamental bibliographical apparatus pertaining to the subject. At the study or instructional support level, a collection is adequate to support independent study and most learning needs of the clientele of public and special libraries, as well as undergraduate and some graduate instruction. The collection is systematically reviewed for currency of information and to assure that essential and significant information is retained.

3a. Basic Study of Instructional Support Level

The basic subdivision of a level 3 collection provides resources adequate for imparting and maintaining knowledge about the basic or primary topics of s subject area. The collection includes the most important primary and secondary literature, a selection of basic representative journals/periodicals, and subject-based indexes, the fundamental reference and bibliographical tools pertaining to the subject. This subdivision of level 3 supports lower division undergraduate courses, as well as some of the basic independent study needs of the lifelong learner.

3b. Intermediate Study or Instruction Support Level

The intermediate subdivision of a level 3 collection provides resources adequate for imparting and maintaining knowledge about the basic or primary topics of a subject area. The collection includes a broad range of basic works in appropriate formats, classic retrospective materials, selected key journals on primary topics, selected journals and seminal works on secondary topics, access to appropriate machine-readable data files, and the reference tools and fundamental bibliographical apparatus pertaining to the subject. These materials are adequate to support advanced undergraduate course work. It is not adequate to support masters degree programs.

3c. Advanced Study or Instructional Support Level

The advanced subdivision of level 3 provides resources adequate for imparting and maintaining knowledge about the primary and secondary topics of subject area. The collection includes a significant number of seminal works and journals on the primary and secondary topics in the field; a significant number of retrospective materials; a substantial collection of works by secondary figures; works that provide more in-depth discussions of research, techniques, and evaluation. This level collection can support masters degree level programs as well as other specialized inquiries such as those from professionals in the field.

4. Research Level

A collection that includes the major published source materials required for dissertations and independent research, including materials containing research reporting, new findings, scientific experimental results, and other information useful to researchers. It is intended to include all important reference works and a wide selection of specialized monographs, as well as a very extensive collection journals and major indexing and abstracting services in the field. Pertinent foreign language materials are included. Older material is usually retained for historical research and actively preserved. A collection at this level supports doctoral and other original research.

5. Comprehensive Level

A collection in which the library endeavors, so far as is reasonably possible, to include all significant works of recorded knowledge (publications, manuscripts, other forms), in all applicable languages, for a necessarily defined and limited field. This level of collection intensity is one that maintains a "special collection"; the aim, if not the achievement, is exhaustiveness. Older material is retained retained for historical research and actively preserved.