Electronic Resources
Collection Development Policy

Statement of Purpose

Ramsey Library collects electronic resources to support the educational and instructional needs of University of North Carolina at Asheville students, faculty, and staff. For the purpose of library collection development, "electronic resources" are defined as resources that require computer access. Examples include, but are not limited to: Periodical indexes, reference databases, Adobe Acrobat PDF documents, and multimedia files. Data may be accessible via the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web, online services, CD-ROM, or diskette.

Selection Criteria

Priorities:

Subject, scope, and format are the primary considerations for purchase of electronic resources as they are for other library resources. Priority is given to:

1. Reference and bibliographic resources that support the overall university curriculum.
   
2. Resources that support the instructional objectives of a specific discipline.

The library should, within its means, make access and use of electronic research materials efficient and productive for the user. To make the most of available funds, the library does not purchase word processing, spreadsheet, or database software unless it is needed to retrieve information stored in an electronic resource that is purchased by the library. The library does not purchase entertainment software unrelated to curricular needs.

Evaluation:

Methods of evaluation may include comparisons to similar products, demonstrations, literature reviews, and peer consultation. Criteria may include:

• authority of contributors
• timeliness and accuracy
• quality and uniqueness of information
• target audience
• depth of coverage
• interface that encourages effective use
• technology requirements
• price
• vendor reputation
• customer support
• advantage over comparable print resource

Selection Procedure

Faculty, students, and staff may recommend that the library purchase a particular electronic resource by submitting a form, "Request for Purchase of Educational Software." The subject bibliographer will present the request form to the Faculty Collection Development Committee for approval after these steps are complete:

1. Evaluation: The Library subject bibliographer and the requestor have collaborated in evaluating the title, based on criteria listed in the previous section.
   
2. Approval: Request is approved by the department chair, the department library representative, and the Ramsey Library subject bibliographer.
   

Patron Access and Use

Electronic resources are cataloged as part of the library collection and may either circulate or be used in the library, as appropriate. Faculty who request an electronic resource may recommend the circulation status of the item. The library will not purchase tangible electronic materials for permanent location in academic departments. The library will comply with the provisions of the copyright law governing electronic resources.

Review of Electronic Resources

The procedure for reviewing and deciding the continuation or withdrawal of electronic resources will be based on these criteria:

1. Circulation or use statistics generated from the automated library system and from other data collections methods
   
2. Availability of a better product based on evaluation methods and criteria listed in this policy statement
   
3. Current product becomes obsolete or damaged.
   

Consortium Purchase

Guidelines for purchase of electronic materials set by the Western North Carolina Library Network will be followed.

Ramsey Library UNCA