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Library Collections

III. Collection Policies: Selection Criteria

  1. Subjects: primarily in the humanities and the social sciences.
    Subject areas and focus appropriate for instructional support of the Graduate Center’s academic mission.
    Subject areas and focus in support of the Tier I programs. Librarians serve as selectors for their programs.
    Materials repeatedly requested through Inter-Library Loan in a given year.
    Faculty and staff are encouraged to suggest materials to support their programs.

  2. Scope:
    1. Journals, monographs and electronic resources supporting the Tier I programs.
    2. Texts and reference works.
    3. Languages collected: English, the Romance languages (excluding Romanian), Greek, Latin, and German; some exceptions may be made for other languages on a case-by-case basis and on the basis of need
      Works of literature are purchased on a discretionary basis if they are:
      In foreign languages from foreign publishers that would make it hard for students to buy copies.
    4. Out-of-print and cannot be obtained in an inexpensive current version by students.
    5. Annotated editions, scholarly editions, or are items of enduring interest to the research programs.
    6. Older materials are kept only if the information is central to a subject and is therefore useful in current graduate work.
    7. Replacements for missing items are requested if needed for course reserve, otherwise not unless they are not found for a period of six months.
    8. Library buys and/or keeps only the most current edition of works; older editions are discarded unless they are of exceptional interest.
    9. Library buys only one copy of materials.
    10. Textbooks are not purchased by the Library.
    11. Library does not buy publisher “throw away” editions, e.g. Penguin paperbacks, etc.
    12. Library does not accept publisher’s advanced copies or uncorrected proofs.
    13. Library does not collect biographies unless the subjects are of enduring interest to a course or program.
    14. Library does not collect non-CUNY dissertations unless requested in support for course reserve.

  3. Need: Journals (prefer online versions) and monographs supporting the Tier I programs.Full-text databases that provide materials in the Tier I subjects.Interlibrary loan and in-house print and electronic usage reports.

  4. Indexed: Primarily indexed in online humanities and social sciences bibliographic databases.

  5. Quality:
    1. Credentials of the author or editor.
    2. Publication's professional society affiliation.
    3. Currency of references.
    4. Quality of graphics.

  6. Formats (assuming other selection criteria are satisfied):
    1. Print and online journals, monographs, texts and reference works.
      CDs. (Cassette tapes, LPs and other record forms are not purchased.)
      DVDs. (VHS tape if resource is only available in this format.)
    2. Microfilm and microfiche primarily for back-runs of journals not online and microfilm copies of CUNY Ph. D. dissertations.
    3. Multimedia purchases must be supported by the Library's audiovisual and computer hardware.
    4. Original published formats only. Copies or reproductions in un-copyrighted formats are not collected.

  7. License:
    1. The Library will negotiate and comply with vendor licensing agreements for electronic resources.
    2. The Library will promote compliance with licensing agreements among its users and among its staff.
    3. Necessary details for this negotiation and compliance include consideration of the following:
      • Definition of Authorized Users as full and part time faculty, students and staff affiliated with the Graduate Center plus walk-in users physically present in the campus libraries.
      • Off-campus access for Authorized users.
      • Interlibrary loan rights.
      • Search, copy, print and download and capabilities.
      • Archival rights or perpetual access.
      • Usage statistics.
  8. Maintenance in both print and electronic format:
      • Titles available only in print.
      • Titles whose online version is available only with a print subscription.
      • The Library does not bind print copies and generally retains them for 3 years.
        Titles more expensive in online version.

  9. Online-only serials:
    1. Because of space restrictions, online journal subscriptions are preferred.
    2. Prefer that substantial savings will result from canceling print.
    3. The electronic journal platform should be excellent, providing full-text and PDF format with high reliability.
    4. The license needs to contain archival and interlibrary loan rights.
      Usage statistics are required.

  10. Availability of funding: Recognition that development of new programs requires institutional commitment of new monies for support.

  11. Reciprocal borrowing arrangements with:
    1. Other CUNY colleges.
    2. METRO members.
    3. Nylink and OCLC members.
    4. International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) voucher participants.
    5. Other local, national and international borrowing arrangements.

  12. Cooperative Collection Development:
    1. For databases: the CUNY Electronic Resources Advisory Committee (ERAC) and the CUNY Council of Chief Librarians.