Library

Collection development activities are coordinated by the Head of Collection Development and Gifts who is also Chair of the Collections Committee. Scholarly materials are selected by the Library’s subject specialists and library representatives in the academic departments. They base their decisions on collection and subject profiles and consult selection tools such as core academic lists, book reviews from reputable sources, citation lists and citation analysis tools.

Materials are also received through the approval plan program, serial subscriptions, standing orders, memberships, and consortial purchases. With the approval plan program, the Library contracts the dealer to supply monographs automatically or query according to collection profiles. Profiles are based primarily on a defined set of subject-specific instructions, non-subject parameters and a targeted publisher list.

In addition to monographs, the Library collects research reports, bulletins, special papers, lecture notes, conference proceedings, videos and films, government publications, maps and images, numeric and geospatial data, and games. Carleton University Library has made the transition from print to electronic journals. The Library is purchasing an increasing number of eBooks to support teaching and research although the majority of books are purchased in print format.

The Library is a member of the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN), Consortia Canada, Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) and Knowledge Ontario (KO), and participates actively in consortial agreements for the purchase of electronic materials.

Monographs

Collection emphasis is on current imprints. Materials are acquired from around the world but mostly from Canada, United States, UK and Netherlands. As well as selecting from the standard commercial publishers, the Library makes an effort to collect university press publications, research reports, bulletins, special papers, lecture notes and conference proceedings.

The majority of the monograph collection is in print format. The Library also monitors the availability of eBooks to add to the collection.

The Library purchases selected current material requested via interlibrary loan (ILL) which falls within our subject profiles.

Replacement Copies

Replacement copies are purchased at the recommendation of the subject specialists based on relevance to current teaching and research and past usage. The most recent editions are normally purchased as replacements. 

Out of Print Books  

Out of print books are purchased as replacement copies if they are readily available, in good condition and at a price which can be accommodated by the Library budget.

Multiple Copies

The Library normally purchases one copy of each title. We purchase multiple copies only for heavily used titles and course reserves.

Translations

The Library collects translations selectively, e.g. to support Comparative Literary Studies. Titles are selected by faculty and the subject specialists.

Textbooks

The Library does not collect textbooks unless they are requested by course reserves and reading lists.

Other Exclusions

The Library does not collect juvenile literature, popular fiction, how to guides and popular material unless they are subjects of study and research.

Language

The primary language of the collection is English. Materials in other languages are acquired when there is a demand for the support of teaching and research in the University. Collections are developed in French to support programs in the French Department. We do not collect materials in languages which are not taught by the University.

Approval Plan

The Library maintains an approval plan for Canadian, US and UK books in most subject areas. The dealer is instructed to send automatically new imprints which match the Library’s subject and other approval criteria. These titles are reviewed by the subject specialists. Unwanted materials are returned to the dealer for credit. The dealer is also instructed to send query slips to notify the Library about new titles which are of secondary importance or which fall outside of the other approval criteria. The subject specialists select from these slip for ordering.

Individual Firm Orders

Library subject specialists select titles from book reviews, publisher catalogues and other sources for individual firm ordering. Titles requested by faculty are also firm ordered.

Standing Orders

Standing orders are placed for selected monographic series, yearbooks, multi-volume sets and proceedings to ensure that all volumes are received as they are published. Standing orders are reviewed periodically for relevancy to the University’s current teaching and research needs.

Journals

Carleton University Library prefers online journals over print. The Library cancels our print subscription when online becomes available. However, we take into consideration faculty’s special requests for the retention of print. The print version is retained if it contains images, graphics or other forms of non-text content which is not reproducible clearly or accurately online or if there is an embargo or moving wall for online. The Library purchases journal archives as our budget allows.

Binding

The Library repairs and binds/rebinds damaged material at the recommendation of the subject specialists. Material that is too bad to be bound is considered for replacement. All journals are bound.

Government Documents

Government documents are collected in print, microform and online formats. Collection emphasis is on Canadian federal, Canadian provincial, intergovernmental international organizations and European Union publications. These are supplemented by selected foreign documents and links to Internet sites.

Data

Carleton University Library collects quantitative computer-readable research data from various disciplines in the social sciences, humanities, and life sciences. We collect surveys conducted by Statistics Canada and other organizations, including some international. We collect both longitudinal and cross sectional surveys which cover economic, social, financial, educational, tourism and industrial themes.

Maps

The Library collects atlases, sheet maps, wall maps, globes, air photos, microforms, digital mapping and cartographic reference works.

GIS  

The Library collects geospatial data from different sources and from different areas of the world with emphasis on local Ottawa area data.

Newspapers

We collect Canadian newspapers of record and newspapers from most major cities in Canada. We attempt to collect at least one newspaper from each province and territory in Canada. We collect, very selectively, newspapers of record from other parts of the world.

Reference  

We prefer online reference resources over print. We prefer the full text edition of an abstract and indexing database if it is available. Print materials are acquired when online is not available. We acquire basic print reference works such as dictionaries, bibliographies, indexes, directories, encyclopedias and handbooks.

Theses  

The Library keeps two copies of Carleton’s print theses. Most Carleton theses and theses from many North American universities are available online via a commercial database. Requests for other theses are processed by ILL.

Sound Recordings  

The Library purchases online music databases, CDs and DVDs at the request of faculty. Gifts of CDs and DVDs are accepted if approved by faculty.

Digital Images

The Library collects digital visual images to support teaching and research in Art History and Architecture. Digital images are purchased only if the format can be supported by the Library.

Videos

The Library collects videos selectively to support teaching and research. We prefer DVD over VHS. We are a member of the Interfilm Watmedia group.

Games and Interactive Media

The Library collects contemporary games and interactive media to support teaching and research across a variety of disciplines. The scope of this collection is shaped by available platforms and operating systems. A companion collection of vintage titles is housed in the Archives and Research Collections.

Joy Maclaren Adaptive Technology Centre

The Centre provides adaptive technology and a quiet environment for persons with disabilities. The Centre does not collect material on the subject area of disability.

Gifts

The Library welcomes gifts in kind which support teaching and research in the University. All gifts must meet the guidelines of the Library collection policy and subject profiles and be in good physical condition. The Library retains the right to accept or reject gifts in kind. The Library maintains the right to dispose of unwanted gifts in the most appropriate manner. Materials not selected for the collection may be put in the Circle of Friends Book Sale. Proceeds from the book sale are used to support student bursaries and the Library Endowment Fund.

Archives and Research Collections

Archives and Research Collections contains print and manuscript materials which, because of age, format, content and value, need to be preserved or kept apart from the general collection. The use of these materials is carefully supervised, with their protection being a prime concern.The collections consist of rare books, journals, modern poetry, Library Archives, Carleton University Historical Collection and research collections such as the Novosti and Batchinsky collections.

New Programs

The Library adds materials to the collection to support new academic programs as our budget allows. According the University’s guidelines, all new undergraduate and graduate program proposals are required to address the need for Library resources.

Weeding and Storage

Weeding and transfer to storage are based on the material’s relevance to teaching and research, past usage, duplication, format, electronic access, currency (superseded editions), and the physical condition of the material.

Open Access

The Library supports open access initiatives and is in the planning stage of an institutional repository.

Revised: May 11, 2011