Collection Development

Selection Priorities

1. Priority will be given to obtaining items with a serious academic purpose relating to the courses offered by the college.
2. Priority will be given to materials requested by the faculty.
3. Priority will be given to materials required by academic programs which are accredited by outside bodies.
4. Priority will be given to items frequently requested by library patrons via inter-library loan.
5. Priority will be given to items about Appalachia and Kentucky in general, and to Southeast Kentucky in particular.

Selection Criteria

1. Accuracy
2. Cost
3. Currency
4. Accessibility
5. Appropriateness
6. Level
7. Diversity
8. Physical Condition

Gifts

1. Once materials are donated to the library, they become library property.
2. The library staff will apply the above selection criteria in deciding whether or not to retain donated materials; items not selected for the collection will be disposed of or given to the public.
3. Donated textbooks may be added to the collection if still considered current by relevant faculty. Although textbooks will not be purchased by the library, instructors are welcome to place copies on reserve for student use.

Weeding

Faculty will be involved directly in the weeding process.

Items may be discarded from the collection for failure to meet the following standards:

1. Currency: Materials may be out of date or may have been superseded by a subsequent edition.
2. Physical condition: Materials may have deteriorated physically to the point where they are unusable and need to be replaced.
3. Appropriateness: Materials may be determined no longer to be appropriate to a community/technical college library.
4. Use: Materials may not be used enough to justify retention.