Coy C. Carpenter Library Collection Development Policy
The Coy C. Carpenter Library Collection Development Committee strives to build and maintain a collection that supports the educational, research, clinical, and management needs for library users at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center community. The Collection Development Committee aims to regularly assess the collection to maintain resources that are relevant for library user needs.
Goals and Objectives
I. Obtain, maintain, and deliver a collection that reflects the needs of our users
Gather input from faculty, students, and staff regarding the scope and contents of the collection.
Acquire materials that support current and emerging areas of research and development.
Use journal Impact Factors to make informed decisions regarding relevancy.
Ensure that materials are indexed in major biomedical databases.
Maintain a core collection of foundational texts.
Prioritize electronic access to resources to maximize accessibility
Provide digital delivery to users when possible.
Utilize demand driven models to assess collection needs in real time.
Provide a purchase recommendation form on the library website.
Accept gifts and donations upon library discretion based on relevance, condition, and needs of the collection.
II. Ensure the quality of the collection
Evaluate the selection of materials on an ongoing basis to ensure collection relevancy.
Track and analyze usage statistics for print, electronic, and Interlibrary Loan materials.
Retain and update materials that are aligned with the curriculum of the medical school, programs of the medical center, and specialized subject areas.
Maintain faculty involvement in the development of the collection through liaison relationships and consultation with subject specialists.
Conduct regular deselection of outdated or redundant materials to maintain a high-quality, functional collection.
III. Inform library users of the growth, changes, and developments that occur in the collection
Periodically publish lists of newly acquired titles and subscriptions to inform users of important additions to the collection.
Provide specialized bibliographies, knowledge guides, and curated lists of resources as needed
Utilize contacts with faculty liaisons to share updates about relevant new resources, acquisitions, and changes in the collection.
Include an overview of collection development in library tours and orientations of the library to ensure new users are aware of library resources and how to gain access.
Provide an executive summary of the Collection Development Policy on the Library website for transparency.
IV. Establish guidelines for acquiring materials in a way that supports the collective needs of the community
Acquire resources that serve the needs of the broader academic and clinical community, prioritizing collective rather than individual usage.
Consider the long-term relevance and accessibility of materials, with a preference for providing resources that can be shared across multiple departments and disciplines.
Prioritize electronic formats for their ability to support multiple users simultaneously and to ensure accessibility to remote users and across various devices.
Allocate acquisitions funds to prioritize resources that maximize accessibility and impact, with the aim of providing the greatest benefit to the largest number of users across all disciplines.
Maximize access to collections by pursuing consortia agreements, partnerships, and collaborative licensing deals to increase the scope of the collection while reducing costs.
V. Periodically revise the policies and procedures of the Collection Development Committee to reflect possible philosophical and/or organizational changes
Review and revise the Collection Development Policy every two years to ensure alignment with evolving educational, clinical, and research needs.
Provide revisions in response to new technologies, changing institutional priorities, and feedback from library users.
Conclusion
The Coy C. Carpenter Library Collection Development Committee is committed to providing and maintaining a well curated collection of resources to enhance the educational, research, clinical, and management needs of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center community.
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