The purpose of the Collection Development Policy is to serve as a guide for those responsible for and interested in developing the Library's collections. The University of South Carolina is responsible for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate instruction, for research, and for public service programs, and the mission of the University Library must be in accord with the University's mission. As the University's chief resource for books, maps, serials, government documents, microtexts, bibliographic databases, and other library materials, the Library's primary purpose is defined as providing support for the curriculum, for research, and for the service responsibilities of the University.

Selection of Materials

Authority for the selection of materials belongs to the Director of the Library. Each academic unit has a library representative appointed by the department head or dean. An allocation of library funds is set aside for the purchase of library materials recommended by the faculty of each such unit. These recommendations are given to the unit's library representative, who forwards them to the Library to be considered for purchase. The academic faculty is an important source of recommendations for the purchase of library materials, and the Library strongly encourages active participation by the faculty in this process.

Within the Library, individual library faculty members function as selectors in the various subject areas. The efforts of these selectors are overseen and coordinated by the Collection Management Officer and three area bibliographers. This system enables the selectors to work closely with departmental library representatives and individual faculty members, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the collection in their areas of expertise and acting as a further liaison between the Library and the academic units. The library selectors enhance and supplement the collection development system, oversee areas where there is presently no teaching or research activity, and develop at all levels a balanced and useful collection serving the needs of the University.

Current Monographs. This material is usually acquired in hardcopy. Hardbound editions are preferred to paperback, where available.

Serials. The Library subscribes to journals and newspapers, as well as other serials in appropriate subject fields. Duplicate subscriptions are avoided whenever possible. Hardcopy is preferred, although periodical backfiles are purchased in microform. For materials in tabloid or newspaper formats, strong consideration should be given to subscribing to backfiles in microform, rather then having the items bound.

Reprints. Emphasis is generally on the text, rather than on the edition. Although an original edition may in some cases be required, commercial reprints are usually just as satisfactory, and considerably less expensive.

Dissertations and Theses. Archival copies of those written at the University of South Carolina are kept in the South Caroliniana Library, and a circulating copy is cataloged for the Cooper Library stacks. Those from other academic sources are treated as specialized research materials and are acquired in accordance with the overall collection policy.

Textbooks. The purchase of textbooks by the Library is discouraged as much as possible. Library funds are limited, and the purchase of textbooks may preclude the purchase of important monographs not otherwise available. Textbooks may, however, be acquired if they represent significant contributions to the presentation of a subject or if there is a scarcity of other material in the field.

Duplicates. The purchase of multiple copies is discouraged. A later edition of a monograph already in the collection is acquired only when the new or revised material justifies its purchase.

Government Documents. The Library is a depository for U.S., U.N., and E.E.C. documents. S.C. state documents are housed in the State Library (near the campus) and are available to faculty and students of the University.

Software. Software is an appropriate format in which to purchase library materials. Software purchased for the collection will be of research or instructional value and will provide unique access to information. Consideration is made whether hardware for particular formats is available. Word processing and business application programs will normally be excluded.

Film/Video. Films and videos are selected as research or instructional materials. Feature films are purchased selectively and only with respect to their research or instructional value.

Audio. Musical recordings are purchased according to the needs of music teaching and research. Spoken word recordings can be selected as library materials.