Collection Development Policy Statement

School of Technology:
Computer Science

University of Northern Virginia Library
Ahmad Noor, Dean of School of Technology
Linda Nainis, Dean, Learning and Instructional Resources

Antje Mays, Consultant (email)

I. Purpose

The purpose of the Computer Science collection development policy is to guide the library's support of UNVA's present needs and anticipate future program growth and changes. The Master's degree program in Computer Science covers theoretical foundations of computer science as well as practical applications ranging from artificial intelligence to specialized areas such as graphics and forecasting.

In addition to the Master's program, UNVA also offers a large number of certificate programs.

II. Scope

Language
The materials are almost exclusively English or translations into English.
 

Geographical Areas
Emphasis is on the theoretical and practical elements of computing. Although much computer science information originates in the United States and Europe, computing professionals and scholars in other regions of the world also craft advances in the field and publish their findings. Thus, curriculum-supporting content is the primary focus, not geographic origin.

Chronological Periods
Material from the twenty-first century predominates. Earlier centuries' imprints related to specific historical precursors of computing machinery and processes are acquired occasionally and selectively to support history courses or specific research or teaching interests of UNVA faculty.

 
III. Types of Material and Formats
Given the geographically dispersed locations of UNVA, subject-supporting scholarly and practitioner-oriented e-book collections and full-text databases of journals, trade magazines are the best way to ensure that all students from all campus have access to equal library resources. As students are enrolled both in Virginia and worldwide (distance programs), the primary emphasis should be on in-depth electronic Computer Science resources to serve the computer science research needs of UNVA's communities, including distance learners.

Computer Science is rooted in theoretical foundations and hands-on practitioner-oriented training. Due to the needed depth of supporting a master's program and specialized certificates, all programs at the certificate and master's levels benefit from the emphasis of online resources. Computer Science is a rapidly evolving field; thus electronic formats are the most efficient avenue to continually updated content.

Through electronic resources the library can provide current journal literature, conveniently accessible to on-site and distance students. Electronic products are generally preferred over print equivalents, all else being equal. There is an ever increasing demand for online resources with remote access. This is an area with unlimited growth potential, and the library will meet that challenge. Thus, electronic resources are actively purchased.

For online materials, the purchasing preference is the subscription basis. Perpetual use purchases are generally discouraged. Given a choice between similar databases when selecting new content, it is preferred to stay with the same vendor, unless there is a strong reason such as truly unique content which only another vendor can provide. Many databases from few vendors keeps the database interface more consistent for students and faculty.

Print may be purchased selectively, as appropriate, on a small scale, mostly for reference materials such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, and certain types of directories and handbooks. The most appropriate scenario which could occur that might justify campus-specific exclusivity of materials not available to other locations would be materials of strictly local importance.

IV. Strengths & Weaknesses
The online collection is strong. Approximately 110,000 e-books are provided by EBL and ebrary. Of these, over 6% support Computers and Technology. Engineering and Technology e-books provide additional support for the study of Computer Science. Possible e-book additions might include computer and technology collections from O-Reilly and Safari. A rich collection of databases includes Computer Database, Expanded Academic ASAP, and ABI Complete's Sciences module. Additional databases may be added in the future. Such future additions might possibly include IGI Global's Info Science Books and Info Science Journals, and perhaps ACM Digital Archive.

The print collection is small, but in light of UNVA's multi-campus research environment, library-collection focus should continue to be on electronic resources.

V. Related Resources
Additional library collections pertaining to computers are described in the collection policy statements for  Information Systems Technology, Educational Communication and Instructional Technology, and General Business; they are served by separate collection development policies.

VI. Subjects and Collection Levels:
Subject collecting is characterized by levels 1-5, with Level 1 representing the most intensive buying, and level 5 representing the lowest level of buying.

1. Research Level: Advanced and comprehensive collection supporting doctoral dissertations and independent research, as well as support for faculty in their doctoral-level course preparation and specialty-related research. Materials at this level should include research reporting, new findings, scientific experimental results, and other primary documents and/or original research dissemination. Other resources at this level include all important reference works, a wide selection of specialized books, e-books, instructional videos and/or streaming web-based instructional A/V materials, an in-depth collection of journals, e-journals, major in-depth full-text databases for indexing, abstracting, and full-text journal content.

2. Study Level: Thorough collection supporting baccalaureate and master's level coursework, master's theses, and project-based independent study, as well as support for faculty in their baccalaureate and master's level course preparation and specialty-related research. This level supports general subject overview and some specialized knowledge, but is not as in-depth as the Research level. Materials include a wide range of books, e-books, workbooks (for example teacher's workbooks, lab manuals), A/V materials where appropriate to the academic discipline, core journals, e-journals, electronic full-text databases, and reference works providing study foundations.

3. Basic Level: Introductory collection to provide a basic subject overview. May include some resources for faculty course preparation and research. Materials include major encyclopedias, dictionaries, important bibliographies, a few major journals / e-journals and possibly drawing from general academic full-text databases already purchased for other subject areas.

4. Minimal Level: Few selections of either very basic works or occasional selections of specialized works in a narrow sub-field, but no systematic support of the subject area.

5. Not collected

 

Subject emphasis: Materials should be primarily chosen for their emphasis by subject, keeping in mind that English is a second language for most undergraduate and graduate students. The subject list below is a starting point for selecting new materials and a guidepost in case of withdrawal projects.

* Computer programming selections are best targeted to specific software applications, rather than trying to cover the entire spectrum of computer programs.

Pertinent LC Call Number Areas

Although UNVA's library does not actively pursue print collections where call-numbers are traditionally emphasized, the Library of Congress (LC) call-number classification system has great value in drilling down with precision to the curricular areas to be supported, even with e-book collections. Similar to a taxonomy, the LC call numbers classify knowledge consistently. This systematic language for coding subjects supports several important library roles: (1) retrieving library holdings by classification ranges of e-books from the online catalog to assess where collections need to be enhanced or pared down; (2) coding curriculum-support profiles for e-book vendors and approval plans; (3) teaching students an additional way to search with precision for library resources on their research topics.

Following are some of the call-number ranges into which Computer Science-related titles can fall.

H