Collection Development Policy

The library collects materials to support the Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) mission. Towards that end, we strive to provide materials:

• Relevant to current and projected class assignments
• Representative of the many different sides of a particular debate or topic
• Suggested by faculty and other experts as being relevant to the field and/or their students' learning favorably reviewed by sources well-regarded in the industry
• That strengthen the breadth and depth of the college collection
• Of local interest because of geography, history or other close connections with community partners
• That promote and encourage reading by all patron populations
• Typical of small academic libraries, especially those that serve rural areas
• Reflective of the complex nature of topics on local, national and international levels
• That allow us to maximize available funds

All items are evaluated for appropriateness for the college collection prior to acquisition. This can include:

• A positive review in a reputable publication
• Holdings by other academic libraries, specifically those serving community colleges
• First hand evaluation by a faculty member in a related discipline

Some exceptions to the above criteria are made for items of significant local importance that are unlikely to be widely-known outside of our immediate geographic area.

Withdrawal (Weeding) Guidelines

To maintain a relevant collection and to maximize available space, the Library regularly evaluates its collection and removes outdated, superseded, no longer needed and/or deteriorated materials. The basic process recognizes that different parts of the collection require a different approach because of subject matter and format. The basic process is as follows:

• Identify areas of the collection in need of review based on review schedule
• Determine individual items within a given area to be reviewed. Consideration will include the following:
  • Date of publication and/or addition to the collection appropriate for a given subject
  • The item's condition
  • Alternatives available in collection (i.e. strength of area of the collection)
  • Current and projected course offerings
  • Availability and ease of access from other institutions
  • Frequency of use
• Isolate items under consideration for further evaluation
• Solicit feedback from relevant faculty regarding suitability for retention, replacement or withdrawal

The final decision for withdrawal and/or replacement is made by the Dean of Library and Learning Commons. Withdrawn materials are typically donated to Better World Books upon CGCC Board of Education approval.