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This policy applies to licensed online databases (e.g. bibliographic, statistical), digitized primary source collections, aggregated eBook and eJournal collections, streaming video collections, etc. It does not pertain to individual eBooks, eJournals, videos, etc. or to application software.
As the nature of eResources is fundamentally different from that of books, eResource selection must be carefully considered and treated differently from book selection. eResource packages are typically very expensive and therefore represent a significant financial commitment.
The Smith College Libraries purchase or subscribe to eResources to support the teaching, learning and research of the Smith community. Within the context of maximizing budget resources, the Libraries seek to provide a balanced portfolio of eResources that reflect the wide variety of campus needs and provide the greatest access to scholarship.
The Libraries’ Collection Development Working Group (CDWG) (see note below) is responsible for making decisions for adding new eResources. Any member of the Smith community may recommend to CDWG that a new eResource be acquired. CDWG considers such requests at its monthly meetings and adds new titles that fit its selection criteria and as the budget allows.
Some of the factors CDWG considers when vetting new eResources:
The Smith College Libraries will not always be able to meet all the needs of faculty members for their personal research through local collections, but aim to support their curricular needs whenever possible.
In addition to the selection factors above, the Collection Development Working Group is also responsible for decisions relating to:
Finally, CDWG always looks at the following technical issues:
The Libraries’ Collection Development Working Group (CDWG) will check for institutional pricing and will typically set up trial access to the product. Faculty members are encouraged to provide feedback regarding content, relevance to the current collection, relevance to the curriculum, ease of use, etc. CDWG will then review the trial feedback and the justification provided by the requester and make a decision in light of other current funding needs.
The Collection Development Working Group is chaired by the Head of Collection Development, and members include the Director of Teaching, Learning and Research, the Director for Discovery, Access & Digital Engagement, and other librarians representing different areas of expertise.
September 2015