Collections: Collections Home

The Library Collection Development Policy describes the collection development philosophy, strategy, and criteria used to build and develop all library collections. The strongest guiding principle that the Library considers in adding or removing resources to/from the collection is whether the resource(s) supports current teaching, research, and learning activities at the College. The Library aims to build a collection that supports an undergraduate student population and is tailored to meet the needs of student, and whenever possible, faculty researchers.

• SUNY Geneseo College Library Collection Development Policy (PDF) 
• Donations
• Purchase Requests

In the case that the Library does not own or license a resource that is needed for teaching and/or research and for which IDS (Interlibrary Loan) will not suffice, faculty are welcome to submit a purchase request. Requests for print and electronic books and streaming film access are usually honored unless the Library cannot locate a vendor for the item or the cost is prohibitively high. The person who submitted the request will receive an email confirmation that the purchase was made or an email with an explanation as to why the item was not purchased within a couple of business days.

Requests for subscription resources (i.e. journals and databases) will be followed up with an email from the head of collection management. Subscriptions require an ongoing annual payment for continued access so the Library evaluates requests for these types of resources more closely.

For journals, the Library will compare the estimated cost effectiveness of a subscription versus the cost to fill requests for articles using IDS (Interlibrary Loan) and the anticipated need for access (how often and by how many faculty members and students will IDS requests be submitted for articles if a subscription is not pursued). In some cases, it will be more cost effective and better service to faculty and students for the Library to subscribe to a journal. In other cases, it may be more cost effective and acceptable to ask faculty and students to submit IDS (Interlibrary Loan) requests for needed articles.

Purchase Request Forms:

• Books & Films
• Databases & Journals

The Library accepts gifts of print books and DVDs in good condition for the main circulating collection.

The Library does not accept print journals, magazines, newspapers, CDs, VHS, audiobooks, reference material, or textbooks as the Library is not actively collecting content in these formats.

Donated materials which fit the Selection Guidelines found on page 3 of the collection development policy and do not duplicate content already available in the collection will be considered for accession.

Donated materials that do not meet the Selection Guidelines and/or duplicate content will not be added to the collection and will be given to another organization or returned to the donor.

• Prospective donors are encouraged to contact the head of collection management, Alana Nuth (nuth@geneseo.edu), if they intend to donate a large number of items, or if there is any doubt that the material is a good fit for the main circulating collection.
• Prospective donors interested in giving materials to the College Archives and/or Special Collections should first contact the Special Collections Librarian (milne@geneseo.edu). The Library does not assess the value of donated materials, but upon request will send a letter to donors acknowledging the donation and number of donated items.
• In the case of high-value materials, SUNY Geneseo Office of Advancement may coordinate the donation with the Library.