Collections Development Policy
- Purpose and Scope
- Clientele
- Coverage and Scope
- Formats
- Separate Collections
- Guidelines for Withdrawal or Cancellation of Materials & Resources
- Gift Policy
- Collaborative Collections Relationships
- Selection Guidelines by Subject
Purpose and Scope
The Health Sciences Library (HSL) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) supports the teaching, research and clinical activities of the UNC Chapel Hill community in a variety of settings in the State of North Carolina and around the world. The guidelines described in the Collection Development Policy are designed to support the Library’s mission and vision.
Clientele
The HSL primarily serves the faculty, students, researchers, and staff of the Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Dentistry, the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, the Gillings School of Global Public Health, a number of related research centers, and the UNC Hospitals.
As part of the University Libraries at UNC Chapel Hill, the HSL supports the faculty, students, researchers, and staff in all disciplines at the University. The HSL also serves the general public, medical and health practitioners, and biomedical researchers in North Carolina. The HSL regularly collaborates and works in close contact with other similar libraries in the region and the state in order to better provide information and resources to the entire community of service.
Coverage and Scope
Languages
The HSL collects primarily English language materials, with three regular exceptions.
- Foreign language materials or instructional texts for regions of exceptional interest to its clientele when no comparable English language resource is available
- Rare foreign language books with historical interest
- Foreign language medical dictionaries and guides
Geographical Scope
The Library collects books and journals from English-language publishers internationally with rare exception. Materials written about health and medicine in North Carolina are of special interest, as are those focused on international regions relevant to UNC Chapel Hill research and studies.
Formats
Formats Collected for Permanent Retention
The HSL collects primarily books and journals for permanent or long-term retention.
Electronic journals are always preferable to print journals, with print journals only being subscribed when of very extraordinary value and with no other access available.
Electronic books are preferable for the following types of books:
- Edited volumes
- Reference books
- Note: A small core collection of clinical reference books will be maintained in both print and electronic format in case of disaster, as described below
- Festschrifts, on the rare occasion that one is acquired
- Widely used textbooks
- Note: Only if the textbook can be acquired with access for multiple users simultaneously, and is also of value independently of its textbook status
- Conference proceedings
- Style guides and dictionaries
- Study materials and exam guides
- Government documents
- Books that may be included in an online demand-driven acquisitions plan
- Books most likely to be utilized by users based away from the Chapel Hill campus; i.e., books intended to support users doing research or clinical work overseas or at a satellite location
Formats Collected for Short-Term or Access-Only Retention
In order to provide the broadest and most relevant body of resources possible, the Library subscribes or provides access to numerous electronic and print resources without maintaining permanent access. These resources may include:
- Point-of-care or laboratory resources with very frequent updates
- Textbooks with annual editions
- Exam preparation and other self-study resources
- Journals of peripheral interest
- Select professional association and NGO documents posted online with free and open access
- Other select resources posted online with free and open access
- Other resources intended for purposes met most effectively with shorter term access
Outdated materials or links with more than two years of no circulation, online usage or library-mediated access will be withdrawn, with very rare exception.
Open online resources not hosted or subscribed by the Libraries may be dropped from the catalog at any time, and will be when no longer relevant to the curricular, clinical or research missions of the University.
The Library also maintains a small collection of streaming media and tangible audiovisual materials for educational and training purposes. These items are only retained while actively used and still current; a review will be made annually to ensure that all materials are current, relevant and active.
Duplication of Formats
Duplication of formats is to be avoided except in very limited circumstances, such as but not limited to the following:
- High-circulation books may be maintained in both print and electronic formats
- Skills oriented books such as writing guides and research methods titles may be purchased in both print and electronic formats, and may be purchased by multiple libraries on campus to accommodate high use and different styles of learning
- Very highly essential clinical reference texts should be held in both print and electronic format in order to ensure access during all circumstances
Separate Collections
Special Collections
The HSL Special Collections are both digital and physical, with a special focus on historical or rare texts and materials written or used in North Carolina and the surrounding region. See the HSL Special Collections Development Policy for more information.
Reference Collection
The Reference Collection includes bibliographies, major core textbooks, directories, clinical atlases, pharmacopoeia, encyclopedias, dictionaries, legal resources, statistical sources, biographical dictionaries, and other critical texts.
The majority of Reference materials will be purchased in either print or online formats, but not both. Online formats will be preferred when available in order to support easy and rapid access for users, except for those titles included in the Critical Clinical Reference Collection.
The Critical Clinical Reference Collection
This group of clinical references consists of current therapeutic texts and one or two major reference texts for most clinical and surgical specialties, with a special emphasis on those likely to be required in a major disaster. These resources are maintained in both print and online formats in order to ensure access in the case of a prolonged power outage.
Withdrawal of Print Reference Materials:
Most books withdrawn from the Reference Collection will be transferred to the circulating collection, at which point any older editions in the circulating collection may or may not be withdrawn permanently in turn. Retention decisions for older editions are assigned on a title-by-title basis.
Exceptions:
- Every third edition of a classic textbook as determined by the Assistant Department Head of User Services most involved in Reference Services should be retained in the circulating collection, with the others withdrawn.
- Prescribing handbooks should be withdrawn and discarded immediately when superseded, but not pharmacopeia.
- The following types of reference materials may be kept in the Reference Collection rather than the Circulating Collection even when superseded:
- Bibliographies
- Statistical sources
Guidelines for Withdrawal or Cancellation of Materials & Resources
Withdrawal of Materials from the Physical Circulating Collection
The following materials may be withdrawn without notification or consultation of users:
- Any books or other items duplicated in this or other campus libraries without high current circulation
- Older editions of textbooks or study resources not meeting criteria of materials to retain
- Out-of-scope books or other items no longer supported by the curriculum
- Books or other items in extremely poor condition
- If the content and circulation of the item makes it worthy of retention, it should be repaired or replaced if possible
- Print journal runs under the following circumstances:
- If another library in TRLN has committed to permanently archiving the print journal and online access is available
- If there is a duplicate print run in another campus library that is more complete
- If the journal is widely held and the library has permanent online access
- If the journal run is incomplete with many gaps and is of insufficient value to the current scope and user needs of HSL to justify attempts to complete it
Withdrawal/Suppression of Owned Electronic eBooks
eBooks purchased with an agreement of perpetual access rights may be withdrawn or hidden within the catalog from users at the discretion of the Library, typically in these circumstances:
- Any high-use eBook with a newer print edition more than one year past publication date
- Any superseded pharmacotherapeutic, clinical, or other eBooks intended for use at the point of care
- Any eBook purchased on both an aggregator and a publisher site; only the copy with the preferred interface should be maintained
- eBooks with regular problematic access
Cancellation of Subscription Resources
The Library regularly reviews serials and other online resources to ensure the relevance and value of the collection. Resources with recorded usage being considered for cancellation will be presented to library clientele for comment and feedback before final cancellation. The following factors will be considered where relevant:
- Online usage statistics
- Cost per measurable use
- Impact factor or an alternative assessment of impact
- Subject scope and relevance to HSL primary users
- Uniqueness of content
- Availability of other access
- Terms of license and subscription
- Library community feedback in response to proposed cancellation
Gift Policy
The Library selectively accepts limited gifts of books that meet the selection criteria of the circulating or special collections.
Collaborative Collections Relationships
The Library relies on collaborative relationships with other libraries within the University Libraries at UNC Chapel Hill as well as other members of the Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN) to provide the fullest coverage for some subject areas. This cooperation may range from agreements to avoid duplication of materials for a subject to shared purchasing or licensing of certain online resources or collections of resources, and includes making collection materials available to users from any TRLN library through reciprocal borrowing arrangements.
Selection Guidelines by Subject
Coverage and Collecting Levels
Coverage of subjects within scope is at the following six levels adapted from the RLG levels, as appropriate to serve the core mission and clientele of the library:
- Level 1. Minimum
- Materials of popular interest, including consumer health resources
- Level 2. Basic Information
- Materials that define and introduce a subject; major broad reference materials
- Level 3a. Instructional Support or Study
- Materials to support undergraduate and most graduate (MS or MA) or professional study
- Level 3b. Clinical Support
- Materials to support clinical practice – practical handbooks, prescriber’s guides, diagnostics, point of care resources, etc.
- Level 4. Research
- Materials to support doctoral and post-graduate research. Contains major upper-level reference works and solid selection of specialized sources including foreign language titles
- Level 5. Exhaustive
- All or almost all published materials in English and original or translated materials in other languages
Coverage of Level 4 materials is assumed to include coverage of Level 3a, 2, and Level 1 materials but may not for specific subjects when not appropriate for the Library. Level 3b is independent of the other levels and is listed separately where included.
Note: Level 5
Exhaustive coverage is attempted for all health and medicine related materials for all subject ranges where there is a strong focus on North Carolina and the Appalachian region, while reducing duplication of materials with other libraries on campus.
Interdisciplinary Areas of Special Emphasis
Many subjects of special interest to the Library and the University cross disciplines or have broader relevance than for one call number range. Most of these areas are collected by both the HSL and Walter Royal Davis Library, with both libraries maintaining significant collections. The following are examples of core areas of special interest that may cross subject ranges and library collections:
- Rural Health
- Health of Special Populations
- Medical Ethics and Bioethics
- Clinical Practice
- Global Health
- Health Systems and Policy
Coverage Levels by NLM and Selected LC Classification Schedules
Note: Co-op refers to other libraries within the University and the Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN) that hold collections that are critical to providing the fullest access to resources for a subject.
Cooperating Library Key:
- UNC Chapel Hill Walter Royal Davis Library Davis
- UNC Chapel Hill Kenan Science Library Annex Annex
- UNC Chapel Hill Sloane Art Library Art
- UNC Chapel Hill Wilson Library Wilson
- UNC Chapel Hill Katherine R. Everett Law Library Law
- UNC Chapel Hill School of Information & Library Science Library SILS
- NCSU Libraries NCSU
Note: Level 3b refers to resources that provide clinical support. It parallels level 3a, which includes resources that provide instructional support. A subject range may include both, either, or neither level – they are distinct. For some subjects, the HSL may collect only clinical materials, with other related materials held elsewhere.
Range | Subject | Level | Level 3b | Co-op |
---|---|---|---|---|
BF | Psychology | Level 3b | Davis | |
BF 176 – 176.5 | Psychological tests and testing | Level 3a | Level 3b | Davis |
BF 207 – 209 | Psychotropic drugs | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
BF 309 – 499 | Consciousness. Cognition | Level 3a | Level 3b | Davis |
BF 699 – 711 | Genetic Psychology | Level 3a | Level 3b | Davis |
BF 712 – 724.85 | Developmental Psychology | Level 3a | Level 3b | Davis |
GN 296 – 296.5 | Medical Anthropology | Level 3a | Davis | |
GN 49 – 298 | Physical Anthropology | Level 3a | Davis, Annex | |
GR 880 | Folk Medicine | Level 3a | Davis | |
HB 848 – 3697 | Demography. Population. Vital Events | Level 4 | Davis | |
HD 9665 – 9675 | Pharmaceutical Industry | Level 4 | Davis | |
HG 9371 – 9399 | Health Insurance | Level 4 | Davis | |
HM-HV | Sociology as related to health | Level 3a | Davis | |
HQ 1073 – 1073.5 | Thanatology. Death. Dying | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
HQ 12 – 449 | Sexual Life | Level 3a | Davis | |
HQ 750 – 755.5 | Eugenics | Level 4 | Davis | |
HV 1551 – 3024 | People with disabilities | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
HV 5001 – 5840 | Alcoholism. Tobacco habit. Drug abuse | Level 3a | Level 3b | Davis |
HV 560 – 583 | Red Cross. Red Crescent | Level 4 | Davis | |
LB 3401 – 3499 | School hygiene. School health services. Hygiene in universities and colleges | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
LC 4001 – 4806.5 | Education of children and youth with disabilities | Level 3a | Level 3b | Davis |
P 118 – 118.75 | Language acquisition | Level 3a | Level 3b | Davis |
QA 273-280 | Mathematical statistics | Level 3a | Annex | |
QC 350 – 467 | Optics. Light | Level 2 | Level 3b | Annex |
QC 474 – 496.9 | Radiation Physics | Level 2 | Level 3b | Annex |
QD 415 – 436 | Biochemistry | Level 3a | Level 3b | Annex |
QH 426 – 470 | Genetics | Level 3a | Level 3b | Annex |
QH 471 – 489 | Reproduction | Level 4 | Level 3b | Annex |
QH 573 – 671 | Cytology | Level 3a | Level 3b | Annex |
QK 99-100 | Poisonous Plants | Level 3a | Level 3b | Annex |
QS | Human Anatomy | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
QS 504-532 | Histology | Level 4 | Level 3b | Annex |
QS 604-675 | Embryology | Level 4 | Level 3b | Annex |
QT | Physiology | Level 4 | Level 3b | Annex |
QT 104-245 | Human Physiology. Physiology. Hygiene. | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
QT 261 | Sports Medicine | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
QT 265 | Relaxation. Rest. Sleep. Hygiene | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
QT 34 – 38 | Physics. Mathematics. Engineering as applied to physiological & medical phenomena. | Level 2 | Level 3b | |
QT 36 | Biomedical engineering | Level 3a | NCSU | |
QU | Biochemistry. Cell Biology and Genetics | Level 3a | Level 3b | Annex |
QU 100 – 133 | Biochemistry of the Human Body | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
QU 145 – 220 | Vitamins | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
QV | Pharmacology | Level 3a | Level 3b | |
QW 1-300 | Microbiology (Medical) | Level 4 | Level 3b | Annex |
QW 501 – 900 | Immunology | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
QX | Parasitology | Level 4 | Level 3b | Annex |
QY | Clinical Pathology | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
QY 50 – 110 | Laboratory animals | Level 3a | Level 3b | Annex |
QZ | Pathology | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
TA 164 | Bioengineering | Level 3a | NCSU | |
TA 166 – 167 | Human Engineering | Level 3a | ||
TD 1020 – 1066 | Hazardous Substances & Disposal | Level 2 | Level 3b | |
TD 172 – 193.5 | Environmental Pollution | Level 3a | Annex | |
TD 419 -480.7 | Water Pollution & Treatment | Level 3a | Annex | |
TD 878 – 894 | Pollution. Special Types of Environment, including soil, water, noise | Level 3a | Annex | |
TP 248.13 – 248.65 | Biotechnology | Level 3a | Level 3b | NCSU, Annex |
UH 201 – 629.5 | Military medical and sanitation services, Care of the wounded, Military hygiene | Level 3a | Level 3b | Davis |
VG 100 – 475 | Naval medical service | Level 3a | Level 3b | Davis |
W | General Medicine. Health Professions | Level 3a | Davis | |
W 18 – 20 | Medical Education | Level 4 | Davis | |
W 26.5 | Health Informatics | Level 4 | Annex | |
W 32 – 49 | Laws. (Medical) | Level 2 | Law | |
W 322 | Medical Social Work | Level 3a | Level 3b | Davis |
W 50 | Medical Ethics | Level 4 | Davis | |
W 601 – 925 | Forensic Sciences | Level 3a | Level 3b | |
W 62 | Physicians’ interpersonal relations | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
W 74 – 80 | Medical Economics | Level 4 | Davis | |
W 84 – 96 | Health services. Professional practice | Level 4 | ||
WA | Public Health | Level 3a | ||
WA 105 | Epidemiology | Level 4 | ||
WA 108 – 245 | Preventive Medicine | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WA 18 – 19 | Public Health Education | Level 4 | Davis | |
WA 295 | Disasters. Disaster Medicine. Rescue Work Terrorism | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WA 300 – 395 | Health problems of special population groups | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
WA 31 | Medical Sociology. Social Medicine | Level 4 | Davis | |
WA 400 – 495 | Occupational Medicine, Health & Hygiene | Level 3a | Level 3b | |
WA 525 – 590 | Health Administration & Organization | Level 3a | Davis | |
WA 530 | International Health Administration | Level 4 | ||
WA 546 | Local Health Administration, Community Health Services | Level 4 | ||
WA 550 | Family Planning Services | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WA 590 | Health Education & Communication | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
WA 670 – 830 | Sanitation. Environmental Control – Water, Air, Cosmetics, Food, Housing, Waste | Level 4 | Level 3b | Annex |
WA 900 – 950 | Public Health Statistics. Theory or Methods of Medical Statistics. Epidemiologic Methods | Level 4 | Level 3b | Annex |
WB | Practice of Medicine | Level 3a | ||
WB 104 | Medical Psychology | Level 4 | ||
WB 141 – 293 | Diagnosis | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WB 300 – 556 | Therapeutics | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WB 320 | Rehabilitation of the Disabled | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
WB 400 – 449 | Diet Therapy & Nutrition Therapy | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WB 460 – 556 | Physical & Occupational Therapy | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
WB 55 | Traditional Medicine, current practices | Level 4 | ||
WB 60 | Bioethics. Clinical Ethics | Level 4 | Davis | |
WB 700 – 760.1 | Medical Climatology | Level 4 | ||
WB 880 – 962 | Complementary & Alternative Therapies | Level 3a | Level 3b | |
WC | Communicable Diseases | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WD | Disorders of Systemic, Metabolic or Environmental Origin, etc. | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WE | Musculoskeletal System | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WF | Respiratory System | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WG | Cardiovascular System | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WH | Hemic and Lymphatic Systems | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WI | Digestive System | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WJ | Urogenital System | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WK | Endocrine System | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WL | Nervous System | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WM | Psychiatry | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
WM 300 – 308 | Mental Retardation | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
WM 402 | Drug Therapy | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WN | Radiology. Diagnostic Imaging | Level 4 | Level 3b | Annex |
WO | Surgery | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WO 200 – 460 | Anesthesia | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WO 660 – 690 | Transplantation | Level 5 | Level 3b | |
WP | Gynecology | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WQ | Obstetrics | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WR | Dermatology | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WS | Pediatrics | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WT | Geriatrics. Chronic Disease | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WU | Dentistry. Oral Surgery | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WU 18 – 20 | Dental Education | Level 4 | Davis | |
WU 50 | Dental Ethics | Level 4 | Davis | |
WV | Otolaryngology | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WV 2270 – 280 | Audiology. Hearing. Hearing Disorders. Deafness | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
WW | Ophthalmology | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WX | Hospitals and Other Health Facilities | Level 4 | ||
WX 150 – 190 | Health Administration and Health Facility Administration | Level 4 | Level 3b | Davis |
WY | Nursing | Level 4 | Level 3b | |
WY 18 – 19 | Nursing Education | Level 4 | Davis | |
WZ 1 – 150 | History of Medicine | Level 4 | Davis | |
WZ 220 – 270 | Manuscripts, Early Printed Books, Americana | See History | See History | Wilson |
WZ 305 – 350 | Medical Miscellany | Level 2 | ||
WZ 309 | Medical Folklore | Level 3a | Davis | |
WZ 320 | Grave Robbing, Resurrectionists | Level 3a | Davis | |
WZ 345 | Medical writing and publishing | Level 4 | ||
WZ 348 | Medical illustration | Level 3a | Art | |
Z 675.D3 | Libraries, Dental | Level 3a | SILS | |
Z 675.H7 | Libraries, Hospital | Level 3a | SILS | |
Z 675.M4 | Libraries, Medical | Level 3a | SILS | |
Z 675.N5 | Libraries, Nursing | Level 3a | SILS |