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Collections Development is responsible
for selecting all materials for the University Library including journals,
newspapers, books, electronic resources, microforms, videos, and any other
book or non-book materials that are needed to support the teaching
and research missions of the University.
The Library has a strong monograph
collection with nearly comprehensive coverage from most university presses
and selected coverage from commercial publishers, societies, institutions,
and agencies. A strong journal collection furnishes the key titles needed
for research and teaching. Because journal prices normally rise at two
to three times the general rate of inflation, the Library adds new subscriptions
very cautiously. Electronic
journals, the electronic counterparts of print journals owned by the
Library, are being added as license agreements and cost permit. The Library
currently has access to over 48,000 electronic journals. The Library has
a strong collection of other electronic
resources that provide access to some of the major databases, many
purchased in cooperation with various consortia.
Recommendations for additions are one method we use for developing the library's collections, and can be made through email
or by contacting one of the Bibliographers.
The Library has a critical
shortage of space. As a result, materials are being identified for remote
and in-house storage. Little-used older and discontinued journals are
being sent to remote storage while monographs older than 20 years and
not circulated for 20 years are being identified for in-house storage.
Storage decisions are made by the bibliographers. To find out if a particular
book or journal is in storage, look up the title in UICCAT where you will
find the information in the location section of the record. All Main Storage
and Warehouse materials may be requested from the Circulation
Desk of the Richard J. Daley Library.
The Library will accept gifts
of materials to be considered for addition to the collections. Not all
gifts are automatically added, however. Additions are based on their relevance
to the teaching and research needs on campus. Office
staff manage the front office of Collections Development and will
accept telephone messages and guide walk-in visitors to the appropriate
bibliographer. (Daley Library, 2-180; phone 312/996-2730.)
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