The Collection Development Policy is designed to provide a general set of guidelines to be used by staff in the selection and maintenance of materials for the Miller Library collection. Careful material selection based on an understanding of the mission of both Miller Library and Cornerstone University is necessary.
Miller Library's purpose is to provide high-quality academic resources, community-focused service, and an environment that fosters intellectual and spiritual growth. To accomplish this, the staff of the library strives to:
Miller Library’s primary service community consists of the Cornerstone University students, faculty, and staff. In addition, some services are provided for alumni and members of the public.
Selection is the responsibility of designated library staff supporting the various academic departments of Cornerstone University. Library staff with actively solicit input from faculty regarding additions to the Miller Library collection. While any member of the Cornerstone community may suggest items, ultimate responsibility for the quality and balance of the collection rests with library staff.
In selecting material, the following criteria will be considered:
Because of the ongoing commitment of serials, the Acquisitions Committee reviews requests for new serial subscriptions. Faculty members requesting a title are asked to complete the Periodical Request Form and submit it to library staff. In addition to the selection criteria listed above, the availability of indexing, online accessibility, and local and area holdings will be considered. New subscriptions will usually begin in January of the next year. The Acquisitions Committee will also make all decisions regarding canceling subscriptions, formats used, storage titles, and allocation of funds. Final decisions are made prior to the EBSCO renewal date.
Because of ongoing commitments of such orders, new standing orders/blanket orders must be given special review and consideration. Faculty members requesting such an order are asked to contact library staff to discuss this unmet need.
As an institutional member of several consortia, Miller Library regularly participates in consortia purchases.
Gifts of books and other materials are accepted with the understanding that they may not necessarily be added to the collection. Materials may be integrated into the library collection based on criteria established in the Collection Development Policy. These materials may be identified with bookplates, but not by a special collection designation. If a donor desires a receipt for tax purposes, the donor will be referred to the Advancement Office. Donors are responsible for designating the value of the donated items.
Library staff actively seek knowledge of new courses and programs and will perform an evaluation of library resources to support these new offerings. The liaison will inform the appropriate department of the results of this evaluation.
If the library does not have resources available to support these new offerings, the liaison will strongly encourage the department to request start-up funds for library resources. These funds must include money for staff and processing costs involved in adding these resources to the collection.
Any library collection requires systematic and periodic evaluation. This may include comparison with similar collections at other academic libraries, current course offerings, bibliographies of current courses, and comparison with lists provided by accrediting bodies or other agencies.
As part of this process, materials may be designated for withdrawal by library staff. Possible criteria for withdrawal include ownership of a new edition, outdated or irrelevant material, redundant copies, condition, non-use (use over previous ten years), and availability in alternate format. Withdrawn materials may be put up for sale.
The mission of Miller Library is to support the mission of Cornerstone University by assisting members of the university community to acquire knowledge by offering access to, instruction in, and interaction with information resources. Materials representing a variety of perspectives are acquired and some of these materials may not reflect the viewpoints of the University. If a patron wishes to challenge the appropriateness of an item in the collection, the patron may complete a Request for Reconsideration Form and submit the form to the Director of Library Services for review. A decision will then be communicated to the patron with one month.