KUMC Collection Management Policy

Guidelines by Format or Type of Material

A.R. Dykes Library collects biomedical and related information in any format necessary to meet the needs of its primary clientele.

• Abridged Editions - Abridged editions are not collected, with the exception of English dictionaries.
• Abstracting and Indexing Services - Major biomedical abstracting and indexing services in English which are national or international in scope are collected. Online access is preferred.
• Academic Dissertations - The Library will generally collect only KUMC theses and dissertations and these will be collected quite selectively. The archive for KU theses (of all kinds) is in Lawrence . In rare cases, it may be necessary to purchase reproductions of non-KUMC dissertations. But since the potential use of these materials is extremely limited, individuals will be urged to purchase their own copies or use ILL.
• Audiovisual Materials - Audiovisual materials are collected subject to the same criteria as printed materials with the following exceptions:
  • Films and filmstrips are no longer collected
  • Materials are current (production date within the last three years)
  • Only English language materials are considered
  • DVD is the preferred format for video materials; videocassettes, when needed, should be 1/2" format These materials should be reviewed every five years for currency and physical condition.
• Bibliographies - Bibliographies are no longer collected except in rare circumstances due to the wealth of such information online.
• Catalogs - Most catalogs are no longer collected due to availability of information online. Some publishers' catalogs are acquired for temporary use in acquisitions activities, but are not retained.
• Congresses, Conferences, and Symposia - Proceedings and symposia reports are acquired very selectively (usually in response to a faculty request). Otherwise, we will not purchase these materials.
• Diagnostic Guides - These materials are developed for use by practitioners on the wards. The Library prefers to concentrate its resources on major reference materials in the health care fields. Therefore, these materials will not be acquired.
• Dictionaries : Substantial English dictionaries in most bio­medical subjects will be acquired. Selected areas in the physical and social sciences may be added as needed. Substantial English-foreign language dictionaries will be acquired for those languages in which biomedical literature often occurs. Monolingual foreign language dictionaries are not acquired. The latest edition of a general dictionary should be in reference, a previous edition in the stacks and all others discarded.
• Directories - Direc­tories will be collected for international and U.S. notables (Who's Who); international and U.S. scientists; and major biomedical societies and associations. Primary emphasis will be on local, state, and U.S. organizations. Selected directories of international organizations may also be acquired. Unless some potential historical importance is exhibited, only the most current editions will be kept.
• Drug Sources - Materials on the action, dosage, contraindications, and properties of drugs will be acquired for Reference. Major American drug handbooks will be acquired, as well as encyclopedic English language drug resource materials from foreign countries. Foreign pharmacopoeias will be acquired based on demand. Older editions of official U.S. drug compendia and other sources providing substantive content of potential historic usefulness will be kept. Other materials will be kept based on demand, usefulness, and accuracy.
• Electronic Materials - The library collects electronic materials that are current and in scope. Decisions to acquire will be based on traditional selection criteria as well as cost, service implications, and necessary technical support. They will be retained as long as they are useful and cost-effective.
• Ephemera - Ephemeral items such as newspaper clippings, fact sheets, etc. are not collected.
• Encyclopedias - Access to current general interest encyclopedias is online. Authoritative ency­clopedias in biomedical sciences will be available in reference. Encyclopedias in the general sciences and social sciences will be acquired as needed. Older editions of the scientific encyclopedias will be kept if they are accurate and useful.
• Examination Guides - Examination guides which are produced to aid KUMC students in the health sciences preparing for specialty or board exams are collected only in English and only if they are published by major medical publishers or major professional organizations. Retain the current edition of exam review books, study guides, and synopses; discard older editions.
• Government Publications - Substantial U.S. or Kansas government publications dealing with biomedical research, health, and health care delivery will be collected. Health related reference materials, such as statistical compilations from governmental agencies, committees, or departments are acquired. Legislative hearing, committee prints, legislative bills, minor documents, or government publications from other countries or states are rarely acquired, unless there is a special need. No separate government publication collection is maintained. All government publications are integrated into the regular collection.
• Handbooks - Tables of biomedical data published in handbook form are a valuable resource for information. The major biomedical handbooks will be acquired, as well as selected physical and social science handbooks. Older editions of handbooks will be kept if they are still accurate and useful. Personal, “pocket sized” handbooks are not collected.

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