96 · Representative Documents: Collection Management Strategies
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Collection Evaluation &Retention Policy Toolkit
http://subjectguides.uwaterloo.ca/evaluation
Get Started -Collection Evaluation &Retention Policy Toolkit -Subject Guides at University of Waterloo
http://subjectguides.uwaterloo.ca/evaluation[10/1/13 4:17:05 PM]
Admin Sign In
Get Started Preparing Retention Policies Collection Evaluation Process Evaluation Methods &Tools Resources FAQ
Purpose of the Toolkit
The aim of the toolkit is to provide liaison librarians
with simple, step-by-step guidelines for writing
subject-specific collection retention policies.
The toolkit includes:
An explanation of the need for retention
policies
Instructions for preparing subject-specific
collection retention policies using the collection
retention policy template
A breakdown of available support
Instructions for preparing to evaluate individual
collections
A breakdown of evaluation methods and tools
Next steps in collection maintenance
A list of helpful research, links, and resources
Collection evaluation &retention policy toolkit
Collection Management and IRMC
IRMC reviewed and approved the toolkit as well as
the collection retention policy template.
The toolkit was developed as a pilot project in Porter
ISR in collaboration with two liaison librarians, who
are members of IRMC.
Feedback can be sent to libIRMC @
library.uwaterloo.ca.
The Need for Evaluation &Retention Policies
Collection evaluation is commonly perceived as a task that requires a great deal of time. However, finding the time to
perform collection evaluation:
Strengthens decisions regarding the lifecycle of a collection
Ensures that individual collections encompass materials that effectively meet the changing research needs of its
users
Gives opportunity to identify and remedy a collection’s weaknesses
Exhibits proactive engagement with a collection
Helps maintain liaison librarians’ accountability to users, academic departments, and stakeholders.
Collection retention policies support each of these recognized benefits and lead to effective and responsible decision-
making in the form of strategic withdrawal action. Strategic retention ensures that collections remain relevant by
explicitly identifying necessary materials to be retained over the long-term.
Collection Lifecycle and Retention
Collection retention is an integral part of the collection lifecycle by:
Creating a bridge between collection development activities and withdrawal of materials
Validating collection development principles through collection evaluation activities
Ensuring strategic collection maintenance and review over time
Specific Outcomes of Retention Policies
The implementation of subject-specific collection retention policies at the University of Waterloo Library will foster a
number of visible outcomes. Retention policies will:
Institute an efficient, streamlined collection evaluation process that can be carried out on a regular basis, in a
manageable manner, by all liaison librarians. Focusing on retention will efficiently structure the withdrawal
review process.
Library » Subject Guides » Collection Evaluation &Retention Policy Toolkit Collection Evaluation &Retention Policy Toolkit
Toolkit meant to assist liaison librarians in the evaluation of their collections for retention purposes
Get Started Print Page Search: This Guide Search This Guide
Get Started -Collection Evaluation &Retention Policy Toolkit -Subject Guides at University of Waterloo
Promote a proactive approach to collection retention and withdrawal that facilitates continuous review rather
than a reactionary and defensive “crisis management” approach applied only when required.
Directly address the often unique long-term research needs particular to individual collections.
Provide personal incentives for liaison librarians over the long-term by saving them considerable time and effort
as well as by assuring that their collections are perpetually relevant to the students and faculty using them.
Improve communication among faculty in regard to collection maintenance.
Last Updated: Jun 7, 2012 URL: http://subjectguides.uwaterloo.ca/evaluation Print Guide
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UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
Collection Evaluation &Retention Policy Toolkit
http://subjectguides.uwaterloo.ca/evaluation
Get Started -Collection Evaluation &Retention Policy Toolkit -Subject Guides at University of Waterloo
http://subjectguides.uwaterloo.ca/evaluation[10/1/13 4:17:05 PM]
Admin Sign In
Get Started Preparing Retention Policies Collection Evaluation Process Evaluation Methods &Tools Resources FAQ
Purpose of the Toolkit
The aim of the toolkit is to provide liaison librarians
with simple, step-by-step guidelines for writing
subject-specific collection retention policies.
The toolkit includes:
An explanation of the need for retention
policies
Instructions for preparing subject-specific
collection retention policies using the collection
retention policy template
A breakdown of available support
Instructions for preparing to evaluate individual
collections
A breakdown of evaluation methods and tools
Next steps in collection maintenance
A list of helpful research, links, and resources
Collection evaluation &retention policy toolkit
Collection Management and IRMC
IRMC reviewed and approved the toolkit as well as
the collection retention policy template.
The toolkit was developed as a pilot project in Porter
ISR in collaboration with two liaison librarians, who
are members of IRMC.
Feedback can be sent to libIRMC @
library.uwaterloo.ca.
The Need for Evaluation &Retention Policies
Collection evaluation is commonly perceived as a task that requires a great deal of time. However, finding the time to
perform collection evaluation:
Strengthens decisions regarding the lifecycle of a collection
Ensures that individual collections encompass materials that effectively meet the changing research needs of its
users
Gives opportunity to identify and remedy a collection’s weaknesses
Exhibits proactive engagement with a collection
Helps maintain liaison librarians’ accountability to users, academic departments, and stakeholders.
Collection retention policies support each of these recognized benefits and lead to effective and responsible decision-
making in the form of strategic withdrawal action. Strategic retention ensures that collections remain relevant by
explicitly identifying necessary materials to be retained over the long-term.
Collection Lifecycle and Retention
Collection retention is an integral part of the collection lifecycle by:
Creating a bridge between collection development activities and withdrawal of materials
Validating collection development principles through collection evaluation activities
Ensuring strategic collection maintenance and review over time
Specific Outcomes of Retention Policies
The implementation of subject-specific collection retention policies at the University of Waterloo Library will foster a
number of visible outcomes. Retention policies will:
Institute an efficient, streamlined collection evaluation process that can be carried out on a regular basis, in a
manageable manner, by all liaison librarians. Focusing on retention will efficiently structure the withdrawal
review process.
Library » Subject Guides » Collection Evaluation &Retention Policy Toolkit Collection Evaluation &Retention Policy Toolkit
Toolkit meant to assist liaison librarians in the evaluation of their collections for retention purposes
Get Started Print Page Search: This Guide Search This Guide
Get Started -Collection Evaluation &Retention Policy Toolkit -Subject Guides at University of Waterloo
Promote a proactive approach to collection retention and withdrawal that facilitates continuous review rather
than a reactionary and defensive “crisis management” approach applied only when required.
Directly address the often unique long-term research needs particular to individual collections.
Provide personal incentives for liaison librarians over the long-term by saving them considerable time and effort
as well as by assuring that their collections are perpetually relevant to the students and faculty using them.
Improve communication among faculty in regard to collection maintenance.
Last Updated: Jun 7, 2012 URL: http://subjectguides.uwaterloo.ca/evaluation Print Guide
Powered by Springshare All rights reserved. Report a tech support issue.
View this page in a format suitable for printers and screen-readers or mobile devices.
