Introduction

The key to all Salisbury University (SU) Libraries collection development decisions is extensive and ongoing conversation between librarians and departmental faculty. Librarians who serve as liaisons to academic departments collaborate with faculty to develop a broad understanding of curricular, student research, and instructional needs.

The SU Libraries value diversity and inclusion. To that end, the staff of the SU Libraries welcomes, supports, and appreciates all SU students, faculty, staff, and visitors. We recognize and celebrate the differences in background, abilities, experiences, characteristics, identity, and thought that make each person unique and that enrich our campus, community, and nation. At the same time, we acknowledge that which unites us: our basic humanity and the search for knowledge that is central to Salisbury University’s mission. We are committed to providing services, collections, and programs that promote affirmation, respect, inclusion, and understanding. This commitment to diversity and inclusion underpins our collection development decisions.

About Collection Development

Library collection development is the process of cultivating dynamic collections that serve the needs of the SU community as best as possible within budgetary constraints. Collection development includes: 

• The selection and purchase of new materials 

• Replacement of worn or lost materials 

• Removal (deselection) of materials no longer relevant or appropriate to the collections 

• The creation of policy to guide material selection 

• Planning for the addition of new areas to or enhancement of the collections in consultation with faculty 

• Working with library partners to build cooperative shared collections 

Collection Description

Purpose of the Collection

SU Libraries develop collections that promote students’ academic success. All collection areas, first and foremost, are maintained to support the teaching, learning, and research needs of the SU community. The Libraries support intellectual freedom and are firmly committed to freedom of inquiry in all areas of knowledge.

SU Libraries

The SU Libraries are comprised of the main research library (main library), the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture (Nabb Center), the Ernie Bond Curriculum Research Center (CRC), and the Museum of Eastern Shore Culture. The main library and the Nabb Center are located in the Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons (GAC); the CRC is located in Conway Hall; and the Museum of Eastern Shore Culture is located in downtown Salisbury.

The main library’s collections include the general circulating stacks, reference, course reserves, current and bound periodicals, federal and state government documents, DVD and CD collections, leisure reading, juvenile literature, and English Language Institute (ELI) materials. Most materials circulate, aside from two non-circulating reference collections. Materials are primarily classified using Library of Congress (LC) Classification. Federal government documents are classified by SuDoc number, except those integrated into the main stacks, which are classified using LC Classification. Periodicals are shelved alphabetically by title.

The Nabb Center’s collections include the university archives, local history archives, special collections, rare books, microforms, artifacts, and a main stacks collection focused on local history, culture, and genealogy. Nabb materials do not circulate and must be used in the Nabb Center. Archival collections are arranged by acquisition number; non-archival collections are classified using LC Classification. The Nabb Center maintains separate collection development policies for its collections.

The CRC’s collections focus on materials to support the education programs and encompass children’s and young adult literature as well as teacher training materials. Most materials circulate, aside from a small, non-circulating reference collection. CRC materials are classified using the Dewey Decimal system with the exception of Historical Fiction, which uses a local call number system. The CRC maintains a separate collection development policy for its collections.

The SU Libraries’ electronic collections include databases, streaming media, ejournals, and ebooks from various commercial providers, as well as SU’s institutional repository (SOAR@SU) and digitized materials from the Nabb Center’s collections.

The SU Libraries are a member of the University System of Maryland and Associated Institutions (USMAI) consortium. Members of the SU community can borrow physical materials directly from any of the other USMAI libraries. USMAI also provides access to shared electronic resources.

Collection Guidelines: General

Selection, Retention, and Deselection

Liaison librarians are responsible for the selection and deselection of materials; input may be sought from departmental faculty and instructors. SU Libraries strive to maintain collections that are current for the areas of particular importance to the curriculum. SU Libraries endeavor to build the strongest collection possible with our available resources. Our collections support current academic requirements; they may therefore be deselected to reflect changing curricular needs. SU Libraries does not endeavor to single-handedly retain the full breadth of the print scholarly record.

SU Libraries works collaboratively with other institutions to ensure preservation and access to the print scholarly record. Through our membership in the Eastern Academic Scholarly Trust (EAST), SU Libraries is retaining a specific selection of print books through at least 2031 to ensure that they remain available for scholarship and research. Collectively, the libraries in EAST are retaining over 11 million books, which are available to the SU community via interlibrary loan.

Deselection Guidelines

Materials may be deselected and removed when physical deterioration makes them unsuitable for use, when the content is out of date, or when they no longer support curricular needs.

Subscription-based materials may be deselected when they no longer support curricular needs or when changing budgets require a reduction in expenditures. After cancellation, existing volumes of physical subscriptions will generally be retained, while continued access for ejournals depends on publisher policies. Database material is generally not retained.

When cancelling subscriptions, SU Libraries consider the subscription’s amount of use, cost per use, and amount of content available in other places. SU Libraries prioritize maintaining access to collections that best meet the largest number of known patron needs. 

Reconsideration Policy

If an individual believes a specific resource is inappropriate for the library collection, they may submit a reconsideration request to their liaison librarian or, if they do not have a liaison librarian, to the Dean of Libraries. The request will be evaluated and resolved by the collection development team, based on SU Libraries’ deselection guidelines. Materials will remain on the shelf and/or available electronically (as applicable) while being reviewed. 

Languages

SU Libraries’ collections are predominantly in English. Consideration may be given to seminal works unavailable in English and to materials that support curricular needs.

Audience

With the exception of books in the Juvenile collection and in the CRC, materials should be appropriate in both reading level and intellectual content for undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty. For non-fiction, scholarly works are preferred, with popular works selected as appropriate.

The Juvenile collection encompasses both fiction and non-fiction books appropriate for levels from pre-readers to young adults. The CRC’s collections also encompass both fiction and non-fiction books appropriate for levels from pre-readers to young adults, as well as teacher preparation materials.

The Leisure collection is comprised of selectively acquired popular fiction and nonfiction titles. While this collection is curated to meet some of the recreation needs of our users, it is not intended to replicate the extensive holdings offered by public libraries. The collection is overseen by the Leisure Reading Committee.

Material Types

Formats collected by the SU Libraries are: books (physical and electronic), media (such as DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs), maps, popular and scholarly journals (physical and electronic), streaming media, and electronic databases. Other formats may be considered if they serve a particular curricular need.

Multiple Copies

It is standard that only one copy of each title is purchased, regardless of format. Books authored by SU faculty may be purchased twice: one for the Faculty Publications Collection and a second for the circulating collection. Electronic duplicates of physical materials already owned may be acquired if necessary to support distance education. Other exceptions may be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Budget Allocations

The materials budget is allocated to support the mission of the University. Budgets for one-time purchases are separate from the budgets for ongoing expenditures such as serials and database subscriptions. Budget decisions are made by the collection development team and the Dean.

Replacements

Lost or damaged physical items may be replaced at the discretion of the subject area liaison. These items may be replaced with either a duplicate title or a similar work that is more up to date.

Donations

The main library generally does not accept donations of materials. Exceptions may be made for recent, high-quality materials.

Materials donated directly to the Nabb Center or to the CRC follow their own criteria for acceptance or rejection.

Format-Specific Guidelines

Books

Print Books

Hardcover editions are preferred. When hardcover editions are not available, good quality trade paperback editions may be acquired. Frequently updated works may be purchased in good quality paperback, particularly in the sciences, business, computer science, and library and information science. Mass market paperbacks may be purchased for leisure reading and the CRC.

Ebooks

Ebooks are available for licensing via contracts between the SU Libraries and various publishers and are often subject to Digital Rights Management (DRM). Individual ebook licenses are typically available for one, three, or unlimited user options, and allow the library to hold the title in perpetuity. Licensed ebooks should be DRM-free when possible, and preferably for multiple users regardless of DRM status.

Print Status

Books that are currently in print are preferred. When there is a genuine need for a specific out-of-print title or edition, the library will attempt to acquire it for a reasonable price through standard used book sources.

Books are not ordered on a pre-publication basis.

Textbooks

Generally, the library does not purchase textbooks. Exceptions may be made to meet specific curricular needs. Only current textbooks may be retained as part of a subject collection.

DVDs and Blu-rays

All DVDs should be ordered in Region 1 (U.S. and Canada) format if possible. All Blu-rays should be ordered in Region A (Americas) format if possible. DVDs and Blu-rays in “universal format” should not be purchased.

Theses and Dissertations

Theses and dissertations by SU students are made available in the main library (circulating copy) and the Nabb Center (non-circulating copy) and are also made accessible electronically through the SOAR@SU repository and ProQuest Theses and Dissertations.

Databases

Selection

Databases collected by the library fall into four basic categories: 

• Bibliographic: providing access to the text of articles or books (full text access). These also provide indexing and abstracts for the included articles or books. 

• Informational: providing statistics, directory information, or other reference material. 

• Archival collections and primary source materials: providing full text, usually in facsimile, of newspapers, books and other historical materials for research. 

• Image or sound databases: containing collections of visual images, sound recordings, or streaming media that can be extracted for teaching and study.

Databases are selected using an annual review cycle. The Serials and Electronic Resources Librarian gathers requests from liaisons and faculty throughout the year. Demonstrations of the requested databases are set up, and liaisons and faculty members evaluate which databases are actually desired. Trials are set up for those databases, and faculty, students, and librarians have approximately a month to review and provide feedback on the trialed databases. After the trials have ended, the feedback and usage statistics are reviewed, and final recommendations are made for or against acquisition. Trials may also be run off-cycle as needed.

Review

Annually, liaisons work collaboratively with the Electronic Resources and Serials Librarian to review current subscriptions, analyze their use, and formally recommend changes and annual priorities for database subscriptions to the Dean. 

Streaming Media

Streaming media is not owned perpetually when obtained by SU Libraries. It is licensed on a temporary basis, and a new license must be purchased upon expiration. Films are licensed via request for faculty members when the film is assigned as required viewing for all students outside of class time. Renewals are offered based on the usage from the previous cycle. SU Libraries’ Streaming Media Policy can be found under our policies section on the library website. 

Serials

Monographic Series

Certain monographic series are purchased on an ongoing basis (standing orders). Liaisons periodically review these titles to ensure ongoing relevance. Individual books from other monographic series may be purchased as single titles when relevant. 

Periodicals

Departmental journal selections are reviewed annually, prior to renewal. 

Policy Review

A complete review of this policy will take place at least every five years, but it may be reviewed more frequently than scheduled, if needed.

Policy draft finalized: August 10, 2009

Last revised: July 30, 2025