Social Work

Purpose

The Collection Development policy is used as a guide to shape relevant collections and to ensure consistency in collection development. The decision to purchase library materials is primarily the responsibility of the Collections Librarian in consultation with faculty in the Department.

This policy has been developed by Gina Matesic, the Collections Librarian, in cooperation with and endorsed by Martha Kuwee Kumsa, the Department Faculty Library Liaison and the Department Chair.

Focus

To support teaching, study and research up to the doctoral level, as well as to support faculty research.

Scope

• Language: primary English language materials are collected; however, attention will also be given to relevant Canadian publications originating in French
• Place of Publication: no area is excluded; internationally relevant and comparative materials are encouraged but the emphasis is place on Canadian and American publications, with U.K. and international publication in the second or third order of priority
• Dates of Publication: emphasis is placed on recently published works
• Chronological Period: both contemporary and historical works are to be acquired
• Geographical Areas: no area is excluded; internationally relevant and comparative material is to be encouraged, whilst ensuring acquisition of relevant material on Canada
• Publishers: works from scholarly and academic publishers is emphasized

Types, formats, and readership of materials collected

• Materials with academic-level readership are selected
• Web-based formats for reference sources, journals and indexing sources are preferred. Print and microform are considered for reason of cost, availability, expected use or long term access.
• Single copies of books in print formats are generally selected. Web-based formats are selected on a title by title basis, especially if the title is of interest to users at multiple Laurier campuses. Duplication of print across Laurier campuses is generally avoided.
• Excluded types include textbooks, abridgements, study aids, limited editions, works by vanity presses, juvenile literature, reprints and partial contents (eg. single issues of journals, electronic versions of single chapters of books).

Subjects collected and collecting priorities

Collecting priorities are categorized into 3 levels:

A - highest emphasis

The collection includes major published materials required to support the core teaching and research at the highest degree level offered by the Department.

B - secondary emphasis

The collection includes a selection of materials to complement the discipline as a whole, although it may not be a primary focus for courses.

C - selective emphasis

Materials, including reference materials and basic journals and indexes are collected to introduce and define an area.

Related programs and support

Consortial purchases with the TriUniversity Group of Libraries (Guelph, Waterloo, Laurier university libraries), with the Ontario Council of University Libraries, and on a national level, are pursued.