Collection development is the process through which library faculty members identify the subject areas in which materials will be collected, the depth and breadth of the materials to be collected, and the appropriate formats of those materials. Collection maintenance encompasses our processes and procedures for ongoing review of the collection to identify materials that need to be repaired, replaced, or removed from the library holdings.
Library faculty members regularly assess the collection’s strengths and weaknesses, filling gaps where possible and weeding as needed. Library bibliographers, who work with the academic departments, are principally responsible for making purchase decisions for library materials, ensuring current and relevant collections, and being good stewards of the library’s collections.
Library bibliographers also disseminate information about the library to department faculty members, teach library instruction classes, and assist faculty members in making the best use of the library and associated information resources.
Policy Summaries
The IUP Libraries’ collections are built from multiple sub-collections, addressing different needs and academic goals. Following are brief summaries of the collection policies for the different areas of our collection. For detailed policy information, please view our complete Collection Development and Maintenance Policy (PDF, 340KB).
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Library
We recognize the essential need for our collections to include and respect all voices, especially those that are historically and currently marginalized. Like all institutions, libraries are not neutral entities. Without proper awareness of the voices and knowledge we choose to elevate versus those we choose not to, we do not fulfill our obligation to support the free exchange of ideas or to fully represent the wealth of knowledge that we can connect our users with.
With this in mind, and in keeping with our mission and values, we will make every effort to ensure our collections reflect the diverse cultures, religions, races, ethnicities, nationalities, genders, disability statuses, sexual orientations, social classes, and other unique ways in which we differ, while celebrating what we share and promoting respect for individuals and the global community.
Controversial Materials
In accordance with the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement, as well as the ALA Resolution on the Use of Internet Filters statement, the University Libraries of IUP have a duty to provide for the free exchange of ideas and to keep in its collections or provide access to a representative selection of materials on all subjects of use or interest to its mission to the university.
The collection should be available to all potential patrons of the library and should offer the widest possible range of viewpoints. Material will not be excluded from the collection because of frankness of language or controversial approach, because of the political, moral, religious, sexual, social, economic, or scientific views expressed, or because of the race or national origin, politics, or religion of the author.
Circulating Collection
The circulating book collection at the IUP Libraries is designed to support the full breadth of the academic and scholarly activities of students and faculty at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The collection consists of relevant research and scholarship across our many disciplinary areas. We do not generally collect works of fiction, with the exception of established literary works and new works of promise in the literary field.
Reference Collection
One of the traditional hallmarks of a library is the availability of a reference collection covering the full range of subject areas with as much depth and breadth as possible. Our reference collection will include encyclopedias, dictionaries, thematic indices, biographical compilations, legal reference works, bibliographies, handbooks, directories, and more, as appropriate to support the needs of our users.
Journals, Newspapers, and Other Serial Publications
We will provide an extensive collection of serial publications, emphasizing scholarly, peer-reviewed journals, to support the research and learning activities at IUP. Though the emphasis is on peer-reviewed journals, we will also collect popular and trade publications. Where possible, we will favor electronic format for our serial purchases to increase accessibility and discoverability.
Children’s Collection
We have established a Children’s Collection designed to support the research and teaching work of students and faculty in the College of Education and Communications. We collect and make available children’s books that are appropriate for preschool through middle school lesson planning by our students and faculty in education and child development.
Theses and Dissertations
We collect theses and dissertations produced by IUP graduate students as well as certain theses prepared by undergraduate students. Our Thesis and Dissertation Collection serves to preserve and record the academic achievements of our students and to make that scholarly work available to other students and library users at IUP and worldwide. We will collect both print, bound-format works, as well as works in electronic format.
Film and Audio Media Collection
We maintain a collection of video and audio media content used to support our curriculum. Physical collections are held at the Stapleton Library and the Orendorff Music Library. We prefer to acquire film and audio media in streaming format, and will do so where possible and financially practical. Where we cannot acquire streaming media, we prefer to obtain materials on DVD or CD.
Government Documents
The IUP Libraries is a designated depository library for documents generated by the US government in accordance with 44 USC 1905, as well as for documents generated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The collection serves the needs of IUP students and faculty, the Indiana County business and agricultural communities, and the citizens of the 9th Congressional District. The collection is managed by IUP’s Government Documents Librarian.
Music Library
The collections held at the Orendorff Music Library are designed to support the information and performance needs of the Music Department, as well as other departments within the College of Fine Arts and Humanities. We collect music monuments, collected editions, reference works, circulating books and scores, and sound recordings. The music library collection is intended to be broad and representative, with emphasis on areas of strength in our teaching and research.
Special Collections and University Archives
IUP’s Special Collections and Archives support the university’s mission through the collection, organization, and preservation of institutional history, Pennsylvania-related materials, rare books, artifacts, and other historical information relevant to the region and the university. Collections are managed by the University Archivist and address the various unique aspects of archival work.