I. Purpose

Mission. Nash Library supports teaching, learning, and research at the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) by building and stewarding strong collections in print and electronic formats.

Scope. The Library develops and maintains effective, current collections of audiovisual, electronic, monograph, and periodical resources aligned to USAO curricula and undergraduate research.

Goals.

1. Quality & Balance: Build a balanced, high-quality collection—across formats—that supports undergraduate instruction and research.

2. Consistency & Evaluation: Provide consistent guidance for selectors and a framework for ongoing assessment and improvement across all subject areas.

3. Fair Funding: Offer clear principles for equitable allocation of collection funds.

Flexibility & Review. This Policy is adaptable to evolving academic programs and campus priorities. It is reviewed annually (or as needed) to reflect curricular changes, accreditation standards, usage data, and budget realities.

Responsibility for Selection

• Authority. The Director of the Library holds final responsibility for materials selection and collection budgets.

• Selectors. Library faculty/staff select a core collection across disciplines, consulting:

  • Faculty (to align with courses, accreditation, and new programs)

  • Usage data (circulation, e-use, interlibrary loan, course reserves)

  • Student success needs (first-year, general education, capstones)

• Requests. Purchase requests from faculty, students, and staff are welcomed and evaluated under the criteria below and subject to budget, licensing, and availability.

II. Selection Criteria

Content & Relevance

• Direct support for USAO courses, programs, and learning outcomes

• Authoritativeness, accuracy, and reputation of creators/publishers

• Currency/edition (most recent or most pedagogically appropriate)

• Level appropriate to undergraduate study; advanced research materials (e.g., conference proceedings, dissertations, specialized government documents) are infrequently acquired and typically met via interlibrary loan or targeted request

Format & Access

• E-preferred when pedagogically appropriate (multi-user licenses, DRM-light, off-campus access)

• Print collected when it offers clear instructional value, cost advantage, or format need

• Periodicals prioritized in electronic format when licensing terms, indexing, and perpetual rights are favorable

• The Library will not normally acquire obsolete formats (e.g., filmstrips, VHS, cassettes, 35mm slides) unless a documented instructional need exists and playback/preservation are feasible

• Microforms retained/added selectively for unique content or preservation/access value

Licensing, Cost & Sustainability

• Total cost of ownership and value (cost/use), license terms (simultaneous users, ILL rights, perpetual/per-access), accessibility (VPAT/Section 508), privacy protections, and platform reliability

• Durability and replacement options for high-use items

• Space and preservation implications for physical formats

Language

• English is the primary collection language. Non-English materials are acquired selectively to support curriculum and campus needs.

III. General Collection Priorities

A. Alignment & Equity

• Expenditures by subject generally reflect:

  • Enrollment/credit-hour weighting in the major/discipline

  • Instructional intensity (e.g., lab/studio needs, higher-cost disciplines)

  • Usage metrics (circulation, e-downloads, course reserves, ILL demand)

• Set-asides may support: new/expanding programs, accreditation requirements, foundational general-education needs, and campus-wide resources.

B. Undergraduate Focus

• Priority to materials supporting required courses, capstones, first-year seminars, general education, and high-enrollment classes.

• Replacement of lost/damaged high-use titles and updated editions for core texts.

C. Affordability & Access

• Preference for licenses that maximize simultaneous users and minimize access barriers.

• Support for OER/low-cost course materials when quality and scope align with curriculum.

D. Oklahoma & Regional Relevance

• Select materials that strengthen understanding of Oklahoma, the region, and local communities when aligned to instruction and research.

E. Assessment & Stewardship

• Ongoing evaluation through usage data, faculty feedback, and curriculum mapping.

• Deselection/withdrawal follows professional standards (condition, superseded content, usage, relevance), with consideration for archival value and access to alternatives.