Print Resources Reference Collection Policy

Print Resource Collection

I. PURPOSE
Valdosta State University Reference Collection materials support the information and research referral needs of a diverse clientele--undergraduates/graduate students, teaching faculty/administrative staff, librarians, alumni and community members. Materials selected for the reference collection provide bibliographic and reference support to the academic mission of the University.
II. DEFINITION
The reference collection consists of dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories, indexes, bibliographies, yearbooks, concordances, statistical compilations and atlases.
III. LOCATION OF COLLECTION
The reference collection is located on the main floor (second level) of Odum Library in the Reference Services section. The collection is non-circulating with open access.
IV. LANGUAGE
The majority of the materials are in English, except as necessary for particular subjects. Foreign language dictionaries, for example, will be collected, but foreign language subject encyclopedias will not, unless they happen to be an o utstanding resource in a particular field.
V. GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS
International, national, and regional materials are featured in the collection. Priority is given to Georgia, Florida, Alabama and the Carolinas for reference materials emphasizing geographical areas in the United States.
VI. CHRONOLOGY
Subject areas [the most current information] is often housed in loose-leaf binders. Older standard reference works of historic and scholarly interest are selectively retained. Superseded editions are withdrawn. Items of potential historic value are transferred to the stacks for permanent retention.
VII. ARRANGEMENT
Reference collection materials are arranged according to the Library of Congress (LC) classification system.
VIII. FORMAT
Reference collection materials are available in the most accessible format for patron use. Printed material accompanied by CD-ROMS require consultation with the Odum Library Automation Committee.
IX. SPACE CONSIDERATIONS
To provide adequate shelving and floor space for housing and using reference materials, ongoing collection development management procedures are instituted. These procedures include shelf reading, acquisition, relocation and deacquisitio n of reference materials.
X. OTHER RESOURCES
In-depth academic research beyond the scope of the in-house reference materials are available and supported through online electronic resources, as well as interlibrary loan.