Library collection policies

The University of Melbourne Collection Policy 2006

1 Introduction

1.1 Overview

This Collection Policy is aligned with the University of Melbourne’s Growing Esteem http://growingesteem.unimelb.edu.au/about/ vision of being one of the finest universities in the world.  The University’s Strategic Plan 2007 http://growingesteem.unimelb.edu.au/2007universityplan/ guides Information Services http://www.infodiv.unimelb.edu.au/ strategies to provide excellence in services to research and research training, learning and teaching and knowledge transfer.  These strategies are outlined in The University of Melbourne Information Plan 2007-2015 http://www.unimelb.edu.au/infostrategy/policies/docs/IMP_2007_15.pdf.  Overall, the Strategic Plan serves as a blueprint for achieving the following goals:

• Position the University as an international leader in research and research training through access to leading-edge information management and infrastructure
• Within a research-led learning environment, create and promote excellent integrated information services, systems and technologies for students and staff
• Maximise access to the University’s scholarly expertise and cultural collections through our information and communication systems and physical displays
• Provide high-quality, cost-effective enterprise information systems to enhance the quality and consistency of the student and staff experience, improve management decision-making and streamline administration.

1.2 Collection Development In The Information Age

Collection development and management in the information age considers how to provide the right information by balancing acquisition and access.  Access as part of collection development policy maximises the acquisitions dollar and extends the availability of resources.  There is an emphasis on managing information, rather than collections.  Access to information can be provided in a wide variety of ways, from document delivery to the traditional print acquisition.  Access to a large print collection is improved by ongoing maintenance, including weeding, to ensure students and staff can find what they are looking for. Electronic resources can also be acquired for the long term, or access can be leased.  Beyond the acquisition/access debate, a focus on networks, partnerships and technologies recognises that rather than one collection sufficient unto itself, what is required is an approach that builds an inter-dependent network of collections for the good of the user. Additionally, new models of scholarly communications and the Open Access http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_access movement are redefining access to the knowledge created within universities. 

Information Services will develop a 10-year plan for the library collections, based on Dr. Kenn Fisher’s 10 Year Strategic Plan Report of 2005. The plan will propose solutions to the chronic shortage of collection space, computer space, student spaces for study, informal collaborative learning, and socialising; and will integrate well articulated change drivers including wireless, online journals, and more learner-centred pedagogies plus increasingly interdisciplinary research training paradigms.

Information Services acknowledges that our rich historical cultural collections, rare books and special collections help to define the Melbourne Experience and are important to the University.  However, universities can no longer hope to continue the historical focus on continual acquisition of campus based print collections.  As the University develops spaces for student learning and socialising as well as collections, and moves to the new Melbourne Model http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/courses/melbmodel/index.html, the aim will find the right balance between access to and acquisition of core high quality undergraduate and research information; ensure the right level of access to off-campus collections and information, and develop and improve access to our cultural collections.

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