• Programs and collections have been evaluated and will continue to be evaluated to ensure the library's responsiveness to evolving technology and changing instructional needs.
• The library has been supplying and will continue to supply materials of varying levels of sophistication and types of media to best serve the wide-ranging interest and abilities of the students.
• The library has provided and will continue to provide materials or access to materials on opposing sides of controversial issues so that students may develop the practice of critical reading and thinking.

• In keeping with the DTCC Diversity Plan approved by the Board of Trustees in June 1994, the library has been supporting and will continue to support college diversity goals and curricula. The library will supply materials that enhance respect for the understanding of cultural, racial, religious and other differences among people. In addition, materials illustrating the accomplishments of individuals from diverse backgrounds will be provided.
• In conjunction with the college, the library has made and will continue to make library materials available to students with disabilities.
• The library has added and will continue to add to its effectiveness by utilizing community agencies and participating in local, regional, state, and national networks.

While the Terry campus library participates in a collegewide catalog, each library specializes in the programs taught at its own location. Since a number of courses are taught at both campuses, however, the same or comparable titles may be purchased for both, in response to simultaneous demand.

Since the library acquires materials of various levels to serve the varying abilities of students, books on advanced or specialized subjects may be purchased in limited amounts if the coursework warrants. Although Interlibrary loan is utilized by some students, the vast majority of students need immediate access to materials.

Each type of material is considered in terms of its own value and the audience for whom it is intended. There is no single standard that can be applied in all cases when making an acquisition decision. Materials are purchased for their support of a particular course. Some of the materials may be considered because they meet special needs not outlined below in "General Criteria".
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• Present and potential relevance to instructional needs.
• Faculty request and guidance are important
• Suitability of content and style for students.
• Reviews in reputable sources.
• Recency of publication if significant.
• Relation to other material in the collection and to other material available on the subject.
• Purpose of author, professional competence, and writing skill.
• Reputation and authority of author, publisher, or edition.
• Relative cost of material in relationship to library budget and to other available materials.
• Conformance to copyright laws.
• Accessibility of materials in Delaware libraries.
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Books

The major criterion for books is the relevance of the material to the educational aims and purposes of the institution. Some titles of general or recreational interest are purchased as well.

Additional copies are acquired in response to need. When a choice must be made, duplicates of high demand basic titles will be purchased in preference of other titles on the same subject.
Paperback books may be bought and catalogued for the collection in preference to the same title hardback, unless anticipated heavy use or budget considerations indicate necessary for a hardback.
Non-textbook format books are preferred over textbooks. Textbooks that students are required to purchase are generally not purchased by the library.

Old editions containing obsolete or incomplete information are replaced by new editions as funds become available.

Foreign language materials are purchased to support the language courses. Very few general foreign language books will be purchased.

Audiovisual and Electronic Materials

The major criteria for audiovisual and electronic materials is the relevance of the material to the educational aims and purposes of the institution.

While in the past AV materials were generally selected and paid for by the instructional departments, now the library purchases appropriate audiovisual and electronic (excluding collegewide resources available through the library's Web page) materials within the budget allocation process. Faculty input in the selection of specific titles is sought to ensure a collection relevant to the courses taught.
Audiovisual and electronic materials are part of the library's cataloged collections. The library catalogs original items (either purchased or received as gifts) or in-house produced audiovisual materials only.

Collegewide electronic resources are purchased by all four DTCC campuses in support of the various technologies and subject areas taught by or at the campuses. The specific resources are chosen by the Head Librarians and access is implemented in conjunction with the Computer Service Center of the college though the collegewide library home page.

Periodicals

The major criterion is the relevance of the periodical to the educational aims and curricula of the institution.

Indexing of the periodical title in the indexes owned or utilized by the library is very important.
First hand evaluation of sample copy plus critical reviews are additional criteria.

Need for very up-to-date information on subjects not as yet covered in books is considered.
Amount of use anticipated from faculty and student requests is also considered.

The library purchases local and national newspapers to respond to readers' interests and the needs of the curriculum.

Special Collections

The following are special collections of materials within the library's cataloged and uncataloged collections.

The Reference collection consists of books and other materials, which are in reference format (arranged for the relatively quick extraction of information). Most of these materials reflect the subjects taught at the campus or the subjects commonly demanded by students for writing papers. Some general, biographical and diversity-related reference materials are purchased as well.

The Administrative collection includes the following:

• DTCC publications such as college catalogs, student handbooks, annual reports, graduation programs, newsletters, etc
• A selection of papers written by and provided by Terry campus staff or faculty.

1. With few exceptions, the periodicals and indexes must be continued.
2. New programs have top priority for book purchase.
3. Materials on current issues for class assignments have top priority.
4. Subject areas in great need because of inadequate resources, increased enrollment, or an obsolete collection have high priority.
5. Serial titles (e.g. annuals) and needed reference books have medium priority.
6. Subject areas with little change in content have a lesser priority.
7. Selected books for individual staff development have a lesser priority.
8. Subject areas of general nature, not directly curriculum-connected, have a low priority.