Research & Instruction Department Collection Policy
Scope of the Research & Instruction Collection
The Research & Instruction collection provides access to materials that meet the needs of its users (as defined above), including both print and electronic formats. Access is provided to the materials as broadly as possible. Print materials are primarily designated as library use only, to ensure they are here when needed. Whenever possible, electronic materials are remotely accessible through one or more of the following:
The Research & Instruction Department develops and maintains a reference collection that primarily supports the teaching, research, and service needs of those working in all academic disciplines at the University, including the needs of undergraduates, graduate students, teaching faculty, researchers, and staff. The collection also provides support to the information needs of the general public. Fogler Library is the designated State Research Library for Business, Science, and Technology.
Responsibilities for Research & Instruction Collection
Subject librarians within the Research & Instruction Department are responsible for Research & Instruction collection development. Each permanent subject librarian is assigned one or more subject areas to develop, making recommendations to the Head of the Research & Instruction Department. In addition to their assigned areas, all Research & Instruction librarians are responsible for recommending general Research & Instruction resources. Suggestions from others are also welcomed. The Head of the Research & Instruction Department coordinates collection development for the department and makes the final decision on materials for purchase from funds budgeted for the Research & Instruction Department.
The Head of Collection Services, in cooperation with inter-campus or inter-library groups as needed, is responsible for approving new Research & Instruction materials and resources that require large one-time or ongoing expenditures, as well as determining the funding sources to be used. In these instances, Research & Instruction librarians are responsible for making recommendations to both the Head of the Research & Instruction Department and the Head of Collection Services.
Selection and Weeding
Research & Instruction materials, regardless of format, should provide background information, be helpful in clarifying research topics, and/or assist with defining appropriate terms in a research area. In recommending a resource for the Research & Instruction collection, Research & Instruction librarians should take the following into consideration: the scope of the resource; how the resource addresses gaps in, or complements, existing Research & Instruction Help Desk resources; perceived and actual use of the resource; the reliability of the resource; how the resource is accessed; the cost of the resource; the language of the resource; the ease of use of the resource.
Systematic, regular weeding of the Research & Instruction collection is expected of each permanent Research & Instruction librarian, in their assigned areas. Final decisions on weeding are made by the Head of the Department. Final decisions on cancellation of subscriptions to electronic reference sources are made jointly by the Head of the Research & Instruction and the Head of Collection Services.
General criteria used in making weeding recommendations include: frequency of use, importance of a source to an academic field, currency, accessibility issues, information superseded by another source, and limitations of equipment or space. Print materials removed from the Research & Instruction collection may be de-accessioned or moved to other areas of the library collection; Maine Shared Collections Cooperative availability will be considered before final disposition is determined.
The Research & Instruction collection includes access to: