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Collections
What is Collection Development?
Collection development is the process of selecting appropriate materials to support the curriculum and research needs of our faculty and students. At Mugar Memorial Library and its branches, librarians are responsible for developing the collections in specific subject areas. These selectors choose all the materials, i.e.,
- monographs
- periodicals and standing orders
- electronic resources
- microforms and other non-book formats
in their respective fields. Their evaluation of materials is based on a number of factors, including
- familiarity with the subject area
- knowledge of the curriculum
- knowledge of existing collection strengths and weaknesses
- examination of critical reviews
- the recommendations of faculty and students.
Collection development is supplemented by one major approval plan for domestic trade and university presses and a number of smaller, subject-specific approval plans. Selectors also are responsible for evaluating gifts in their subject areas.
How to Submit Requests
A library liaison system exists to facilitate receipt of faculty suggestions for acquisition and to furnish academic schools and departments on campus with information about recent acquisitions and other collection development news. A faculty member or committee in each school or academic department of the University is usually appointed annually to this position. For information, faculty should contact the appropriate subject librarian or your department's administrative office.
Faculty members and other library users also may suggest acquisitions via the Library Materials Request Form, the Suggestion Box (Mugar Memorial Library, 1st floor), e-mail, or 'Suggest a Purchase' on the library's website.
The library also will continue to support a text-based, telnet interface to the online catalog. At the B. U. Libraries screen,
- choose I (Library Information);
- then choose A (Additional items library should acquire).
Requests for Reserve materials must be sent directly to the Reserve Department.
Collection Development Librarians
Listings of the librarians are available by name and by subject.
Please check individual libraries for availability of additional services.