Policy:

The New Mexico State University Library will have established, written general collection development principles on which it acts. This policy does not pertain to archival or special collections materials, which are governed by separate collection policies.

I. Principles:

The primary purpose of the library's collection development program is to fulfill the University's ongoing needs for information resources that support its fundamental land grant university mission in teaching, research, service, outreach and extension. The program also expands and strengthens core resources; keeps resources current; provides basic support for the information needs of the University; and partners with others in the research library community to facilitate the exchange of scholarly information at the state, national, and international levels.

The activities of the collection development program include the ongoing identification, selection, acquisition, and de-selection of current and retrospective materials, including gifts-in-kind, to build the library's collections. Other activities include planning and instituting rational approaches to consistently provide access to information resources matching our users' needs and conducting ongoing assessments of collections and resources to determine their suitability in meeting user needs.

Two overarching principles of New Mexico State University are transformation and change. These same principles influence the development of collections and services within the library system. By enacting these principles, the library adapts as it responds to changes in the university and to external changes. Therefore, its collection development practices must remain flexible enough to engage in responsiveness to and anticipation of a changing society and its’ corresponding university community.

The library, per the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights, has an obligation to protect library collections from removal of materials based on personal bias or prejudice and to select and support access to materials on all subjects that meet, as closely as possible, the needs, interests, and abilities of all persons in the New Mexico State University’s community. This includes materials that reflect all political, economic, religious, and social viewpoints.

II. Process:

To maintain a successful collection development program, the library entrusts the subject expertise of the library and academic faculty and accepts suggestions from users. All interested parties are encouraged to provide input, as appropriate, in the development of the collection.

Currently, the library is focusing its development resources predominantly on materials in English and Spanish.

The library accepts gifts-in-kind which enhance collections. Items accepted as gifts may be added to the collection based on collection needs.

This collection development policy serves as a tool to help the library build a strong local collection in areas central to the University’s programs of teaching, scholarship and research. This policy is not exhaustive, and library faculty reserve the right to make collection decisions on a case-by-case basis and to change this statement as needed.

III. Subject Collection Priorities:

In general, core resource materials that directly support the academic and research programs of NMSU will be collected, and in particular:

• Agriculture
• Local and regional subjects
• Space
• U.S./Mexico Borderlands
• Water

IV. General Exclusions:

In general, materials in the following formats and categories will not be collected, except in justifiable circumstances:

• Textbooks
• Popular and genre fiction
• Workbooks and Lab manuals
• Self-help books
• Items superseded by newer editions
• Science and technology items more than five years old
• Items in superseded formats
• Codes and Standards