1.1.1 describes the criteria for the selection of materials
1.1.2 describes the library collection and how they are managed.
1.1.3 establishes a framework for continuous evaluation and improvement of the collection.

1.1 Scope and Subject Scope

The Library acquires resources in the following areas:

1.1.1 Ophthalmology
1.1.2 Otorhinolaryngology
1.1.3 Nursing
1.1.4 General Medicine
1.1.5 Allied Health
1.1.6 Health Care Administration

The library generally does not select materials of the following types:
o Spiral bound publications
o Loose-leaf publications
o Programmed or self-instructional texts
o Workbooks, exercise books
o Lab Manuals
o Pocketbooks
o Newsletters
o Maps, graphs, posters, charts
o Newspapers [with the exception of 2 major daily newspapers].

2.1 Clinical resources that enhance clinical knowledge and support patient care.
2.2 Curriculum resources for Ophthalmology Registrars
2.3 Reputation of author, editor or institution.
2.4 Intended audience
2.5 Publisher's reputation.
2.6 Currency
2.7 Quality (Readability, level of scholarship)
2.8 Bibliographic aids (index, references, graphics)
2.9 Depth of existing collection
2.10 Format
2.11 Client requests and recommendation
2.12 Use of previous edition or titles in the same series.
2.13 Price
2.14 Physical Quality
2.15 Relationship to other works in the collection.

2.2 Aids used in monographic selection:

2.2.1 Core Lists
2.2.2 Book Reviews
2.2.3 Acquisition Lists from other libraries.
2.2.4 Promotional literature.
2.2.5 Consultation with RVEEH clinicians, other library members, Honorary Librarian & RANZCO Fellows.
2.2.6 Inter-library loan requests.

3.0 Serials- Criteria for Selection

3.1 Authority (peer reviewed, reputation of publisher or editorial board).
3.2 Appearance of journal in major indexes, abstracts and retrieval services used in the library.
3.3 Selection of articles is refereed.
3.4 Author or subject index is published in the serial.
3.5 Subject scope of journal is wide enough to appeal to a cross-section of users.
3.6 Depth of existing collection.
3.7 New journal sample issue that has received good evaluations.
3.8 Client requests.
3.9 Price
3.10 Unavailability of journal in other libraries.
3.11 Possibility of copyright violations by repeated photocopying.
3.11 Availability in the library of other journals on the same subject.
3.12 Inter-library loan requests.

3.3 Aids used in serial selection:

3.3.1 Sample issues of new journals
3.3.2 List of journals indexed in Medline.
3.3.3 Science Citation Index-Journal Citation Reports.
3.3.4 Publisher announcements.
3.3.5 Evaluations by the Ronald Lowe Library clients.
3.3.6 SERLINE
3.3.7 OCLC

QC - Optics
WE 705 Head and Neck
WO200-400- Surgery and Anaesthesia
WV 100 Otolaryngology General Works
WV 200 Ear
WV270 Audiology
WV300, Nose and paranasal sinuses
WV500 Larynx
WW - Ophthalmology
WW18 Ophthalmology Education
WW100 Ophthalmology General Works
WW101-3 Eye Anatomy & Physiology
WW140 Eye Diseases -Vision Disorders
WW160 Eye Infections (Caused by bacteria, virus or hypersensitivity)
WW168 Ophthalmic Surgical Procedures
WW220 Cornea
WW260 Cataract
WW270 Retina
WW290 Glaucoma
WW300 Refraction
WW355 Contact Lenses
WW410-5 Ocular Motility
WW460 Neuro-Ophthalmology
WW525 Ophthalmic Trauma
WW600 Paediatric Ophthalmology
WW704 Optics
WX Hospital Administration
WY - Nursing

BF - Human Psychology
HA - Statistics - Social Science Aspects
HF Management
W - Medical Informatics
WZ - History of Medicine
Z - Libraries, Medical
Epidemiology

QS, QT, QV - Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology
W44-700 - Law, Medical Ethics, Health Services
WA100-950 Public Health, Statistics
WB Practice of Medicine
WC140-600 Communicable Diseases

6.1 Duplication

6.1.1 Monographs

One copy is usually purchased.

6.1.2 Serials

One copy only.

6.2 Replacements

Titles of missing monographs and serials are reviewed by the Library Manager and decisions to replace are made on a case-by-case basis depending on the:

6.2.1 Subject matter,
6.2.2 Date of publication,
6.2.3 Alternate availability
6.2.4 Bibliographic integrity of sets,
6.2.5 Estimated demand
6.2.6 Price
6.2.7 Available funds.

No attempt will be made to replace out-of-print materials, except in unusual circumstances.

The library staff will attempt to replace missing journals through the journal exchange scheme with other libraries and through EBSCO's missing journal bank.

The annual stock take of the collection is viewed as a means of keeping an accurate record of the collection.

The library aims to keep all current editions of books and other resources in Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. Outdated materials are regularly withdrawn to prevent incorrect information being relied on.
Exception: Materials that are of historical value for which the date of publication is not significant, may be retained. These materials provide to all Library users an important dimension of enrichment in the art and science of healing. Periodic review of these materials in liaison with the Library Advisory Committee and specialists, provides guidance for retention.

7.1 De-Selection

De-Selection is the process whereby items that are considered of little value to the collection are identified and withdrawn. This process is undertaken as a continuous, planned part of the Collection Development program and decisions to withdraw must reflect the philosophy of the Collection Development Policy.

The library staff identify materials for possible withdrawal. Monographs and serials are treated differently, but the following general points are considered:

7.1.1 Date of publication
7.1.2 Subject content-is it classic in the field or on a subject which is sparsely represented in the collection?
7.1.3 Past client use.
7.1.4 Estimated future use.
7.1.5 Recommendation from clients and specialists.
7.1.6 Title found in published bibliographies by authorities in the subject.
7.1.7 Physical condition.
7.1.8 Availability in other libraries.
7.1.9 Preservation as a historical record.

The following categories of monographs are primary candidates for weeding:

7.1.10 Multiple copies
7.1.11 Outdated Reference Materials

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8.1 The Ronald Lowe Library is very grateful for the numerous donations that have enriched its collection over the years. These guidelines are designed to assist prospective donors in the disposition of materials by clarifying library policies and procedures with regards to donations.

8.2 The Library accepts the donations on the understanding that the decision to use the material will be made by the Library Manager based on the Collection Development Policy guidelines. This means that the library has the right to use or dispose of materials as it sees it fit. If they are not added to the library collection, they may be offered to other health libraries or discarded.
All donated materials accepted by the library will be integrated into the existing collection.

8.3 The Library Staff will not appraise gifts nor give advice regarding issues related to tax deductibility. The onus for acquiring such information remains with the donor.

8.4 When significant donations or collections are made, the Library Manager will acknowledge the gifts in writing as soon as is practical. All other identifiable donors will be acknowledged at the end of the year.

8.5 Potential donors are asked to submit to the Library Manager a written description of those items they wish to donate.

For books:	For Journals:
Title Author (s) Date of Publication Publisher.	Title Inclusive volumes/issues Dates Indication of whether they are bound or unbound.
For Donation form please click here	For Donation form please click here

8.6 The list will be checked against the Library's holdings and acceptance will be based on potential usefulness in accordance with the Collection Development Policy. Although new foreign language materials are not purchased, older foreign language works may be selectively accepted for donation if they are classics in a particular field.

8.7 Materials that are not biomedically related, outdated reference books, superseded textbooks (except for first or significant editions) and materials in poor or marked up condition, are generally not accepted.

8.8 The library is unable to accept delivery of materials prior to the receipt of written description. Delivery of accepted materials to the library is the responsibility of the donor. The library does not have the personnel or the transport to provide this service.

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Reference publications are distinguished, in part, by the fact that they are consulted primarily to find answers to specific questions, rather than to serve as statements of theorems or hypothesis.

These materials are separated from the general collection and due to the nature of their use, these resources do not circulate. The materials consist of three broad categories of materials:

o Sources of factual data such as Encyclopaedias, Drug Compendium.
o Directories containing information on persons or institutions
o Bibliographical sources.

9.1 Formats and type of materials included in the Reference Collection

The Reference Collection follows the overall Collection Development Policy statement in terms of subject coverage and user population served. In addition, a selective coverage of more general material, not specifically biomedical in character, is necessary to ensure quality basic reference service. The following list provides some examples of publications included in the Reference Collection:

9.1.1 Abstracting and indexing services
9.1.2 Almanacs and Yearbooks
9.1.3 Bibliographies on specific Subjects
9.1.4 Directories of institutions of higher learning.
9.1.5 Current alerting tools
9.1.6 Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology and Medical Dictionaries
9.1.7Other Dictionaries such as the English Language dictionary and the various ethnic language dictionaries that assist in translations to patients (e.g. Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, etc).
9.1.8 Directories of Physicians, research institutions, government agencies, etc.
9.1.9 Drug Information Services
9.1.10 Encyclopaedias of the human services
9.1.11 General Encyclopaedias
9.1.12 Atlases
9.1.13 Statistics
9.1.14 Publishers Directories

9.1.15 Format Exclusions

The most appropriate and the most cost effective formats in reference materials are acquired. Formats that are fragile, easily damaged, which require special equipment or are subject to other practical limitations on their utility, should be purchased only with greatest caution.

9.2 Criteria for Selection

The following criteria are used when selecting materials for the Reference Collection:

9.2.1 Usefulness in comparison to existing reference tools
9.2.2 Timeliness of the materials
9.2.3 Anticipated frequency of use
9.2.4 Inclusion of title in Reference Guides.
9.2.5 Strengths and Weaknesses in the Reference Collection
9.2.6 Long term value.
9.2.7 Favourable review
9.2.8 Authority and reputation of the author/publisher
9.2.9 Frequency of publication.
9.2.10 Use of earlier editions
9.2.11 Date of Publication.
9.2.12 Language of publication. Selected is limited to the English Language publications except for certain dictionaries.

9.3 Criteria for withdrawal

Criteria for removing materials from the Reference Collection:

o Replacement of new edition or another publication with expanded coverage and more recent publication date.
o Decline in usefulness I relation to other Reference tools.
o Date of publication
o Cessation of updates.

The Ronald Lowe Library acquires electronic resources that meet our selection guidelines. The term "electronic resources" describes materials that require a computer to display them. This may include CD-ROM mounted within the library or links to resources on a remote server, which maybe owned by an entity other than the library. Electronic resources are generally more costly than print, but offer advantages such as allowing multiple user access to the same resource simultaneously, or more powerful searching capabilities, or interactivity.

10.1 Criteria for Selection:

10.1.1 Meets the subject scope outlined in General Guidelines for Selection
10.1.2 Good technical support is available.
10.1.3 The interface is user-friendly with appropriate online Help available.
10.1.4 The license agreement allows normal rights and privileges accorded libraries under the copyright law.
10.1.5 If selected, meaningful usage statistics can be gathered to gauge the usage by the Ronald Lowe Library users.
10.1.6 The product does not require special access control.
10.1.7 The library is not required to subscribe to both print and electronic versions of the product, unless it is desired.
10.1.8 The vendor allows a trial of the actual product rather than a demonstration disk.
10.1.9 The license gives the library indemnification against a third party copyright infringement.
10.1.10 The product compares favourably with other similar products.
10.1.11 It runs on existing hardware and software.

10.1.12 Desirable additional criteria

o The product can be mounted on a network to allow remote access for users.
o Archival rights ensured.

10.2 Aids used in Electronic Resources Selection

10.2.1 Publishers Announcements
10.2.2 Requests from the Ronald Lowe Library clients
10.2.3 Availability through consortia agreement.

10.3 Aids used in Negotiating License Agreements

o "Its all in the fine print": http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/contract.htm

o "Principles of Licensing Electronic Resources"
http://www.arl.org/scomm/licensing/principles.htm

10.4 Responsibility for Selection

The process for selection is more complex than for print materials because in many instances the product is leased under a legal contract with limiting clauses rather than purchased outright with full ownership. Where terms of a prospective contract raise concerns, the Library Manager may consult the Chief Medical Officer for legal referrals.

10.4.1 De-Selection
Usage statistics will be evaluated periodically to discover any resources with low usage. These maybe considered for de-selection.

11.1 Departmental Resources

Books and journals required by individual departments are paid for with their own funds and are ordered through the library. This is to avoid any unnecessary duplication throughout the hospital or within the department. These resources are processed in the library and are added to the library's online catalogue, prior to being transferred to the ordering Department for retention.

11.1.1De-Selection

The Departments are to identify materials for possible withdrawal, especially those that are of little value to their collection. The following criteria would normally apply:

o Date of publication
o Estimated future use
o Physical condition
o Replacement of new edition.
o Older editions that may have potentially harmful data if used as a basis for present-day clinical decision making.

11.1.2 Discarding Procedure

o Department Heads to inform the Library of titles to be withdrawn.
o All withdrawn titles to be brought to the library for de-accessioning from the library system.
o Dept. journals to be brought to the library for integration into the collection or for inclusion in the library's Duplicate list. The library offers surplus material to all library users after it has been offered to all other libraries via Duplicate lists.

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11.2 Archives

The library archives, was initially established to house older editions of Ophthalmology and ENT texts. This objective has been slightly expanded to include hospital/RANZCO publications itemised below. Criteria for relegating items to the Archives are:

1.1.1 One copy of the previous edition of a core Ophthalmology text
1.1.2 One copy of the previous edition of a core ENT text
1.1.3 Unique publications of past hospital or RANZCO activities.
1.1.4 Publications that have long term value to RVEEH