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Library Collection Management Policy Summary

Two students looking at books near shelves in Curzon Library.

Library and Learning Resources exists to support and enable the Learning, Teaching and Research Mission of the University.

We develop inclusive and decolonised collections to support teaching, learning and research of the University.

Library and Learning Resources follows the principle of intellectual freedom, uninhibited access to information and freedom of expression and opposes any form of censorship. The inclusion of work(s) in our collections should not be taken as endorsement of the work or author(s). Works deemed offensive may also be legitimate objects for academic study or research.  

We do this by:

  • Engaging with Academic staff to ensure that we have copies of the relevant course and module reading lists
  • Working with Academic staff to purchase new materials required
  • Attending relevant School and Course Development Meetings
  • Responding to students’ requests

What do we add to stock?

  • We attempt to purchase items required for resource lists
  • We use our knowledge and experience to identify and purchase relevant items in subject areas taught in the University
  • We listen to staff and student recommendations and requests
  • We purchase additional copies of items in high demand (usually evidenced by reservation queues)

What types of material do we buy?

  • Print and electronic books
  • Print and electronic journals
  • Electronic databases (which cover many of the formats listed here)
  • Printed Music
  • Sound recordings
  • Videos

What formats do we prefer?

  • Wherever possible we provide materials in electronic form so that they may be accessed from any place at any time.

Do we discard materials?

  • We remove from stock out-of-date materials, including previous editions because they might prove misleading or harmful unless specifically requested to retain them.
  • We remove from physical stock surplus unborrowed material.

Do we review our holdings?

  • Yes, we base decisions on usage and cost-per-use figures to ensure that Library materials reflect good value-for-money. Library space is limited so we can’t keep materials which don’t earn their place.

Last Updated October 2024.