Collection Development
The Library collects materials to support the Columbia College mission in accordance with YCCD Board Policies 6030, 4-8061 and 6045. Towards that end, we strive to provide materials:
- relevant to current and projected class assignments
- representative of the many different sides of a particular debate or topic
- suggested by faculty and other experts as being relevant to the field and/or their students’ learning favorably reviewed by sources well-regarded in the industry
- that strengthen the breadth and depth of our collection
- of local interest because of geography, history or other close connections
- that promote and encourage reading by all patron populations
- typical of small, rural, academic libraries
- reflective of the complex nature of topics on local, national and international levels
- that allow us to maximize available funds
All items are evaluated for appropriateness for our collection prior to acquisition. This can include:
- a positive review in an industry recognized publication
- holdings by other academic libraries, specifically those serving California community colleges
- first hand evaluation by a faculty member in a related discipline
Some exceptions to the above criteria are made for items of significant local importance that are unlikely to be widely-known outside of our immediate geographic area.
Weeding
To maintain a relevant collection and to maximize available space, the Library regularly evaluates its collection and removes outdated, superseded, no longer needed and/or deteriorated materials. The basic process recognizes that different parts of the collection require a different approach because of subject matter and format.
Step:
- Identify areas of the collection in need of review based on when they were last evaluated
- Determine individual items within a given area should be looked at. Consider:
- Date of publication and/or addition to the collection appropriate for a given subject
- The item’s condition
- Alternatives available in collection (i.e. strength of area of the collection)
- Current and projected course offerings
- Availability and ease of access from other institutions
- Frequency of use
- Isolate items under consideration for further evaluation
- Solicit feedback from relevant faculty regarding suitability for retention, replacement or withdrawal
The final decision for withdrawal and/or replacement is made by the Faculty Librarian. Withdrawn materials are immediately discarded.
