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Janine Hutchings
Administrative Assistant

Ph:  (540) 464-7228
Fax:  (540) 464-7279

Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Avenue
Lexington, VA 24450

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Appendix B

Serials Selection Criteria

 


The acquisition of serials requires a higher degree of selectivity than that required for monographs. Once a serial has been selected, an ongoing and costly commitment is made in terms of payments, binding, and storage for many years to come. The large number of serials published makes it impossible to purchase all titles needed. Interlibrary loan must be utilized in the area. Careful and considered choices must be made.

The Collection Review Committee of Preston Library is responsible for the selection of serial titles. The Committee meets on an ad hoc basis to review requests for serial titles and requests for other materials. Criteria for selection will include the following:

The title must support the curricula of the Institute.
The reputation of the title and its publisher must be sound.
The subscription cost must be justifiable.
The title must be indexed in abstracts and/or indexes held or accessible to the Institute.

Other factors to be considered include:

How frequently is the title likely to be used at the Institute?
How many requestors have endorsed the selection of the title?
How well does the existing serial collection at the Institute cover the subject?
How frequently has the title been requested via interlibrary loan?
What is the frequency with which the title is cited in the professional literature?

Procedures for Selection of Serial Titles

  1. The requestor fills out the Serials Subscription Request Form and returns it to the library.
  2. The library completes the form.
  3. The form is sent to the Department Head of the requesting department for approval.
  4. The form is returned to the library.
  5. The Collection Review Committee considers the request.
  6. The Department Head is notified of the decision regarding the request.

If approved by the Committee, the Head of Technical Services will initiate procedures to begin a subscription to the title. Typically, subscriptions will commence with the first issue of the next calendar year or the first issue of the upcoming volume.

Please return completed form to the Head of Technical Services.