The Columbia College Chicago Library collection supports the learning and instructional needs of the students, faculty, and staff of the College. Library resources assist in the development of the critical thinking skills necessary in pursuit of a well-rounded liberal arts and sciences education. The collection reflects Columbia's emphasis in the creative and media arts, liberal arts, and business, with strength and depth in these subject areas: art, dance, fashion, film, journalism, music, photography, television, and theatre. A core collection serves the general education requirements of the College and promotes lifelong learning.
The Collection Development Policy establishes a set of guidelines to govern growth and maintenance of the library collection. The document provides the framework for librarians as bibliographers to build a balanced and vibrant collection. The policy defines the scope of the collection, describes types of materials, selection guidelines, and maintenance policies. The policy is evaluated on a regular basis to reflect the changing needs of the College and its curriculum.
The library collects books, serials, films, music, scores, and scripts. The collection includes physical and electronic formats; both are necessary for a balanced and relevant collection. Database subscriptions provide users with access to journal articles, streaming films and music, graphics and multimedia, and geographic and demographic data.
The primary objective of materials selection is to support the instructional programs of the College. The collection should support all concentrations in the academic departments of all schools in the College as well as its special initiatives and programming. The collection should include items of general educational and cultural enrichment which encourage the intellectual growth of students. The library supports faculty research by providing access to materials needed and collecting materials when appropriate and as budget allows.
The following criteria are to be observed in the selection of materials in all formats:
The selection of library materials is made by subject librarians in consultation with faculty. Faculty members are encouraged to recommend materials for areas in which they teach and conduct research, although faculty may request additions to the collection for any area. While faculty recommendations are welcome and necessary, the library staff is responsible for maintaining a balanced collection. Students' requests are welcome and will be filled if the material meets the general selection criteria for the collection.
The library purchases these materials in both physical and electronic formats: books, films, music, music scores, and serials. The same selection criteria are used for all formats with some additional criteria for electronic resources. Materials requiring specific technologies or equipment for use will not be purchased unless the library has the necessary support available for users. The library does not purchase materials for which we lack the proper facilities for use and storage.
Preferred formats
E-books are the preferred format as they support the trend toward digital pedagogy. E-books provide students with greater access than print books. Students can access e-books both on and off-campus, allowing them to use library materials when and where the books are needed. When appropriate and available, the library purchases multi-user licenses for e-books, providing even greater access to frequently used e-books. Perpetual access e-books are preferred to subscription access. E-books also ease the strain on a finite amount of library shelf space.
Print books remain an essential component of an academic library collection. The library has a print-preferred policy in these disciplines: fine and performing arts, photography, graphic design, and literature.
Streaming versions of films and music are preferred over physical formats. Pedagogical changes require students to view films outside of class. Streaming films provide greater access for students. The library purchases physical media when a streaming version is not available for licensing, or when specifically requested by faculty.
English language publications are preferred, with the following exceptions:
Electronic resources are defined as licensed or purchased information resources delivered electronically.
Due to the ongoing financial commitment associated with electronic resources subscriptions, the Electronic Resources Committee (in consultation with appropriate liaison librarians, library personnel, and faculty) is charged with making purchase decisions based on institutional needs. A major goal of acquiring electronic resources is the provision of access both on and off campus in the most sustainable manner possible.
The annual process for electronic resource selection aligns with the College’s annual budget cycle with new database access beginning with the fiscal year.
Resources will be licensed or purchased in electronic format if they provide greater accessibility to information over other formats at a manageable cost.
Considerations for the selection and deselection of electronic resources include, but are not limited to:
Textbooks: The Library purchases all required textbooks that cost $40 or more. E-book editions are purchased when available. Due to space limitations, only one print copy will be purchased unless there is sufficient demand for additional copies
Faculty and Staff Works: The Library attempts to acquire and maintain published works authored or edited by individuals employed at Columbia College Chicago at the time of publication. For book works published in a physical format, two copies are usually purchased—one copy for the circulating collection and one copy for the Faculty/Staff Works Collection. For audio or visual works in which a Columbia College Chicago employee is a primary contributor, one copy will be purchased for our Media Collection.
Periodicals: Periodical subscriptions are reviewed annually for renewal and for retention decisions. In addition to the general selection criteria, the following are considered when deciding to add or withdraw a title:
Gifts: The Library accepts gifts for the collection on a highly selective basis if the material being donated falls within collection development guidelines.
Items which are out-of-date, no longer have curricular relevance, or in poor physical condition will be withdrawn from the collection. Duplicate copies of titles may be withdrawn if a single copy meets user needs.
Titles removed from the collection because of damage or loss will be replaced if they meet current selection criteria, have significant use, and are still available.
The library participates in the following library consortia and networks, allowing users to access and borrow materials from many other libraries. Consortia memberships also allow the library to license or purchase electronic resources more affordably:
To facilitate the widest range of inquiry, Columbia College Chicago Library embraces the American Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries. The following principles guide the library’s acquisitions of resources.
This Collection Development Policy is reviewed annually for currency.
Feedback regarding materials in the Collection should be directed, in writing, to the Director of the Library.
Updated: January 2022
