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Collection Development Policies
University Library Collection Development Policies and Procedures
Last updated: 9/23/2026
Collection development is the ongoing process of building and maintaining collections of resources which meet the teaching, learning, and research needs of the library’s users. At Central Michigan University, librarians and library staff collaborate with faculty, administrators, staff, and students to ensure University Library collections support the university’s instructional programs and research activities.
Access to resources not owned by the University Library is provided through interlibrary loans and consortial partnerships with other libraries.
Responsibility for Collections
While the University Library actively solicits suggestions for additions to the library's collections from members of the CMU community, the overall responsibility for collection development rests with the Dean of University Libraries and the subject librarians. Their task is to ensure library collections best support the instructional and research endeavors of the university.
General Selection Guidelines
When considering a purchase, the library applies the following factors:
- Whether an item supports the teaching, learning, and research activities of the university.
- The authoritativeness and/or scholarly value of an item.
- The currency or timeliness of an item.
- The anticipated use of an item.
- The strength of existing holdings in a subject area or similar subject areas.
- The cost and affordability of an item.
- The format of an item, with preference given to electronic materials out of access and sustainability considerations.
Exclusions
The University Library does not, as a matter of general practice, purchase course textbooks, duplicate copies of materials already owned, or out-of-scope materials. Requests to do so will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Donations
The University Library does not accept donations of books or other materials. Questions regarding this practice should be directed to the Manager, Acquisitions and Resource Management.
Collection Maintenance
Subject librarians periodically evaluate the collection to ensure its contents remain relevant and valuable to its users. Outdated titles, low-use items, duplicate copies, damaged materials, and materials no longer relevant to Central Michigan University programs may be withdrawn from the collection. Deselection decisions will be influenced by cooperative holdings agreements the CMU Libraries has with other Michigan universities. Library staff have the final say in all decisions regarding the deselection of materials. When deselecting materials, the Libraries will seek to either donate or recycle the items before discarding them.
Intellectual Freedom
As it selects materials for its collections, the University Library supports intellectual freedom and fully subscribes to the tenets of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. Among other rights, this statement affirms that no materials shall be excluded because of the origin, background, or view on current and historical issues, and that censorship should be challenged. If you have a concern about an item in our collection, please submit a Reconsideration of Materials form.
CMU Libraries Collection Development Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
In keeping with Central Michigan University’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and professional guidelines from the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Diversity Standards: Cultural Competency for Academic Libraries, the CMU Libraries pledges to collect and make available library materials reflecting the interests, concerns, and achievements of individuals and groups from marginalized and historically underrepresented populations.