Interim Electronic Collecting Policy
BIBLIOGRAPHER CONTACT: Ronda Rowe
OTHER SUBJECT RESPONSIBILITIES: Networked
Information Resources, Australian Studies, Anthropology
ADDRESS: Research Services Division PCL 3.317
PHONE: 495-4110
Electronic Formats Collection Policy:
The library will acquire materials in electronic format that meet our current general or subject collection policies. These materials are evaluated under the same guidelines as other formats, with additional consideration given to the technical aspects of the information delivery mechanism, the interface, the discovery and retrieval software, and any additional overhead costs in equipment or personnel required to deliver the information.
Additional factors to consider include:
- speed and reliability of access,
- compatibility with existing hardware and software,
- the display, print, downloading, e-mailing, and general data manipulation and transfer capabilities,
- the data formats used (HTML, PDF, ASCII, TeX, Postscript, audio, video, etc.),
- cost, usage, equipment availability, technical support, networkability, authentification methods,
- licensing issues such as access by walk-in library users, access by remote users, identification, copyright, and future access to the data if we cancel our subscription,
- library commitment to the database: will we archive it, serve it, license it, link to it, or utilize some combination of these options,
- coverage, content, full-text, appropriateness, and impact on public service.
As with other formats, electronic material should meet the same subject, chronological, geographical,
language, subject treatment, and dates of publication guidelines; and the same standards of excellence,
comprehensiveness, and authority that the library expects from all of its acquisitions. In addition, any
licensing required for electronic formatted material should meet the guidelines suggested by the
UT System Copyright Management Center for the licensing of software and databases.
Because of the volatility of electronic formats, information delivery mechanisms, and pricing structures,
all information in electronic format will be reviewed on a regular basis and is subject to change in retrieval
software, interface, vendors, and information delivery mechanisms according to the best prudent practices of
library collection management.
Return to Subject Policies List
