PRP 3820 - Library Materials Policy

Issued by: James K. Krause, Interim Provost and Senior V.P. for Academic Affairs
Effective Date: Fall 2017
Notes: Approved by the Representative Assembly, November 17, 1977. Updated 11/11/96. Revised by BUCC 11/30/2016. Presented to University Forum 12/7/2016.

It is the policy of Bloomsburg University -- through the Harvey A. Andruss Library -- to select, commensurate with budgetary, staff, and space allocations, materials which support:

  1. Aims and objectives of the University.
  2. Content of courses offered in the curricular programs.
  3. Teaching methods of faculty members.
  4. Research programs of undergraduate and graduate students.
  5. Research programs of faculty members.
  6. Special needs of students and faculty, including general enrichment and leisure reading.
  7. Other University commitments.

In the fulfillment of these objectives, selections of books and materials is considered to be a cooperative responsibility, with participation and recommendations of Library faculty, teaching faculty, administrative faculty, non-instructional staff, and students. Through the standard library practice of selective weeding, books and materials which are no longer necessary will be withdrawn from the Harvey A. Andruss Library Collection. Ultimate responsibility for overall selections and quality of library materials rests, by virtue of the position, with the Director of Library Services.

The University administration and those charged with responsibility for selection hold to the tenet that professional integrity and responsibility to the academic community served by the library involves the freedom to have access to a wide spectrum of significant material available, as long as:

  1. The educational objectives of the University are supported.
  2. All sides of controversial or partisan issues are represented.

The Library Materials Policy of Andruss Library applies equally to all book and non-book materials, whether acquired by purchase, lease or license, gift or exchange. Gifts of books, periodicals, and other non-book materials will be accepted by the Andruss Library only if the items meet established criteria.

The University subscribes to the purposes expressed in the Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association.