The library’s collection as reflected in the library’s catalog, IUCAT, reflects owned and licensed materials (physical and electronic), as well as book titles available to purchase upon requested by users through the Books on Demand program. In a desire to make fiscally responsible purchasing decisions for items that patrons desire to support current research, teaching, and learning at time of need, the library has adopted an acquisition model that is driven by rapid response to patron request as opposed to acquiring because the library should have it “just in case.”
Any IU Indianapolis affiliate primarily served by University Library may initiate a purchase request. Such requests can be initiated via the Books on Demand records available in IUCAT or the online purchase request form available on the UL website. Most purchase requests for monographs or streaming videos, whether made through Books on Demand or the online purchase request form, are handled by the Director of Content Services without further consultation with a subject librarian. The only exceptions are for requests above $1000 or require a subscription which would be forwarded to the Collections Working Group for review.
University Library prefers electronic over physical formats. For instance, streaming media are preferred over CDs or DVDs and electronic books and journals are preferred over print. Duplication should be avoided unless additional copies and/or formats are needed to meet demonstrated user demand. Requests made by distance learners and/or to address accessibility needs for eBooks which duplicate print books are exceptions to this policy. For more information on how The Library supports accessibility within its collections, please read our accessibility policy.
Although University Library primarily collects resources in the English language, it also collects resources in support of the other languages taught in the IU School of Liberal Arts.
University library considers the following when evaluating purchase requests:
- Curricular and pedagogical needs
- Existing and/or emerging areas of research
- Long-term research value
- Fit with established collection emphases in distinct collections
- Quality and credibility
When evaluating licenses the library maintains a list of preferred license terms.