The Collection Development Policy is designed to provide a general set of guidelines to be used by staff in the selection and maintenance of materials for the Miller Library collection.  Careful material selection based on an understanding of the mission of both Miller Library and Cornerstone University is necessary.

The mission statement of Miller Library states that:

The Miller Library staff strives to support the mission of Cornerstone University by assisting members of the university community to acquire knowledge by offering access to, instruction in, and interaction with information resources.

One part of accomplishing this mission is to:

Maintain active collection development, maintenance, and organization to assure library users of     relevant and accessible information resources.

Miller Library’s primary service community consists of the Cornerstone University students, faculty, and staff.  In addition, some services are provided for alumni, MichiCard patrons, and special guests.

Selection is the responsibility of library staff designated as subject specialty liaisons to the various academic departments of Cornerstone University.  While any member of the Cornerstone community may suggest items, ultimate responsibility for the quality and balance of the collection rests with the liaison staff.

The Acquisitions Committee is composed of all library liaison staff and all library associates involved with the acquisitions process.  The Acquisitions Committee decides on all changes to index, periodical, standing order, and consortia purchases.  The committee also decides on exceptions to policies stated in the Collection Development Policy.

In selecting material, the following criteria will be considered:

1.  Scope         The predominant emphasis of collection activities is on curricular support, but materials that enable independent study within the educational goals of the university may also be collected.

2.  Level          The depth and comprehensiveness of the collection is determined by curricular offerings, degree programs, and accrediting standards.

3.  Quality       Selection considerations include the accuracy and timeliness of the information, as well as the authority and reputation of the author and publisher.  Evaluation of material is based on reviews, accreditation standards, bibliographies, and the professional judgment of the library liaisons. 

4.  Format       Any format that can be used on the Cornerstone campus may be collected.

5.  Content      Materials representing a variety of perspectives are acquired.  Some of these perspectives may not reflect the viewpoints of the university.  In supporting the unique Christian nature of Cornerstone University, material supporting Christian values and perspectives will be given special consideration.

6.  Exclusions Materials not normally collected include         

            a.  Textbooks of a general survey nature, published for classroom use     

            (except for the Curriculum Center collection)

            b.  Paper items less than 50 pages in length (except for special collections)

            c.  Article offprints or single issues of periodicals

            d.  Multiple copies

            e.  Foreign language materials that do not support a curricular offering.

Because of the ongoing commitment of serials (periodicals and indexes), the Acquisitions Committee reviews requests for new serial subscriptions.  Faculty members requesting a title are asked to complete the Periodical Request Form (see Appendix) and submit it to their library liaison.  The title is then presented to the Acquisitions Committee.  In addition to the selection criteria listed above, the availability of indexing, on-line accessibility, and local and area holdings (GRAULS) will be considered.  New subscriptions will begin in January of the university’s fiscal year.  The Acquisitions Committee will also make all decisions regarding canceling subscriptions, formats used, storage titles, and allocation of funds.  Final decisions are made by September 15 of the fiscal year.

Because of ongoing commitments of such orders, the Acquisitions Committee reviews requests for new standing orders/blanket orders.  Faculty members requesting such an order are asked to complete the Standing Order Request Form  (see Appendix) and submit it to their library liaison.  The request is then presented to the Acquisitions Committee for discussion.  For any substantial monetary purchases, the Committee will decide on a shift in the allocation of funds from the monograph budget to the Standing Order budget and/or from a particular monograph fund to another monograph fund.

As an institutional member of several consortia, Miller Library has numerous consortia purchases in which to participate.  The Acquisitions Committee will decide on the purchase of these items.

Gifts of books and other materials are accepted with the understanding that they may not necessarily be added to the collection.  Materials accepted for the library collection based on the criteria established in the Collection Development Policy will be integrated into existing collections.  These materials may be identified with bookplates, but not by a special collection designation.  If a donor desires a receipt for tax purposes, the donor will be referred to the Advancement Office.  Donors are responsible for designating the value of the donated items.

The liaisons will actively seek knowledge of new courses/programs and will do an evaluation of library resources to support new offerings.  The liaison will inform the appropriate department of the results of this evaluation.  If the library does not have resources available to support the new offerings, the liaison will strongly encourage the department to request start-up funds for library resources.  These funds must include money for staff and processing costs involved in adding these resources to the collection.  The liaison will work with the department on developing a bibliography of basic resources for the collection.  If there are continuing expenses with maintaining and adding to this collection, additional funds for the annual materials budget will be requested.

A library collection requires systematic and periodic evaluation.  Materials may be designated for withdrawal by library staff.  Possible criteria for withdrawal are ownership of a new edition, outdated or irrelevant material, excessive copies, condition, non-use (especially during the last ten years), and decision to use in a different format.  Evaluation of the collection should be undertaken on a regular basis by each liaison.  Evaluation may include comparison with similar collections at other academic libraries, current course offerings, bibliographies of current courses, and comparison with lists provided by accrediting or other agencies.

The mission of Miller Library is to support the mission of Cornerstone University by assisting members of the university community to acquire knowledge by offering access to, instruction in, and interaction with information resources.  Materials representing a variety of perspectives are acquired and some of these materials may not reflect the viewpoints of the University.  If a patron wishes to challenge the appropriateness of an item in the collection, the patron must complete a Request for Reconsideration Form and submit the form to the Director of Library Services.  The Director will consult with the liaison librarian and the Divisional Chairperson of the content area.  The decision will be communicated to the patron with one month.