Collection Development

Specific guidelines, in addition to the general criteria, are required for the following types of materials:

• Textbooks
• Periodical Collection
• Electronic Resources
• Audiovisual Materials
• Recreational Reading Materials

For the purposes of this policy, textbooks are defined as the books and other materials adopted and required to be purchased by students for use in class. Textbooks may be included in the collection if the material presented is not available elsewhere or at the request of faculty. In general, textbooks are not purchased for the library collection.

Subscriptions to print periodicals (journals/magazines/newspapers) are acquired at the recommendation of faculty or professional library staff to supplement online periodical access. A limited number of non-academic periodicals are purchased to support and encourage reading. With input from faculty, back issues of print periodicals are retained according to a library-established timeline. Subscriptions are evaluated annually prior to renewal. 

Electronic resources are selected to support RCC academic programs and to supplement resources in the library’s physical collection or available through NC LIVE. Electronic resources include, but are not limited to, online databases, streaming videos, and electronic books. In addition to Selection Criteria – General, the following criteria are considered when selecting or renewing electronic resources: 

1. Licensing agreement terms
2. Vendor reliability
3. Product quality.
4. Benefit
5. Accessibility
6. Functionality
7. Usage statistics
8. Adequate technical support
9. Trial subscription availability

Audiovisual materials are purchased to supplement online video access. The choice of format is based upon current technology and the type of hardware available in the classrooms. Consideration is given to terms or conditions attached to the item that affect use (i.e., copyright, licensing, public performance rights).

Recreational reading materials, including, but not limited to, bestselling adult fiction/non-fiction, young adult fiction/non-fiction and graphic novels, are added to the collection to support RCC reading classes and to encourage an appreciation of reading. Materials are leased or purchased to represent a variety of genres with appeal to RCC students. The lease or purchase of popular reading materials is not made at the expense of resources needed to support the College curriculum. In addition to Selection Criteria – General, the following criteria are considered when adding popular reading materials:

1. Receipt of or nomination for major award
2. Continuation of an existing series
3. Local significance of author or setting
4. Popularity of style, author, character, or series
5. Patron request