Collection Development
Collection development is a collaborative activity between library staff and academic staff of the University. Requests or suggestions for new resources that support the teaching, learning or research activities within the University are encouraged.
Request books and DVDs
Send your requests for books, e-books, DVDs and other monograph resources to your Librarian, book orders team, or via our online ordering form.
All requests are reviewed against our selection criteria and e-preferred policy for books.
E-preferred policy for books
Our preferred resource format is online, due to the advantages of 24X7 access, multiple simultaneous usage, and ability to integrate into online course materials. Print books will still be acquired if they meet one of the following criteria:
- if the title is required urgently to meet teaching or research needs and only the print book is available
- if an e-book copy is not available within a reasonable time period or a suitable e-book alternate title cannot be found
- titles that are prescribed or recommended reading for units (the print ordering formula will be reduced when an e-book is available)
- when the content is image rich and the image quality is not adequate for teaching, learning or research needs eg. visual arts titles
- when specific teaching, learning or research reasons exist for obtaining the print format
- when the license or conditions of use of the e-book do not allow the book to be used effectively to meet teaching, learning or research needs
- if there are technical issues that do not allow adequate or satisfactory usage
- rare or special collection items where the physical object is required
Read our e-preferred FAQs for more information.
Deselection of print books
Online resources are preferred as replacements for outdated print books. The Library print book collection is reviewed continuously to ensure that Library monograph resources remain current and relevant to the teaching, learning, and research activities within the University, are responsive to changing client needs and best utilise Library space and alternative storage/archiving arrangements. For details read the Guidelines for reviewing print monographs across campus libraries.
Reading List Ordering Guideline
The ordering of reading list resources to support teaching units or courses is treated as a high priority by the Library. All unit chairs should send their lists of prescribed and recommended readings to your Librarian or book orders team. Reading lists for all units are checked each trimester and orders are placed according to the Reading List Ordering Guideline (PDF, 130.9 KB) that takes into account:
- the number of enrolments at each campus where the unit is taught
- whether the title is a prescribed or recommended text
- whether the title is available as an e-book
- the number of titles on the reading list
The Library uses the Reading List Ordering Guideline (PDF, 130.9 KB) to provide appropriate and sufficient access to reading list prescribed and recommended resources. The Library does not provide class sets of textbooks as students are expected to purchase prescribed textbooks.
E-textbooks
- Online copies of prescribed texts are actively acquired whenever possible.
- Unlimited access to e-textbooks is preferred, though some vendors may limit how many users can access the resource.
- Student access to e-textbooks cannot be guaranteed during periods of high demand, including exam revision periods.
- Limited print copies of prescribed texts are also available to be borrowed. Find your prescribed texts and recommended readings.
Request journals and databases
Requests for journals or electronic databases should be sent to either your Librarian or to serial.orders@deakin.edu.au.
Requests for the purchase of new serial material are reviewed by the Library Manager for each Faculty. All purchase recommendations are then considered by the Library Collection Advisory Group. Purchase decisions are made according to priority and budget availability.
E-preferred policy for journals
The Library's policy is to purchase the electronic format of new journals rather than print if available. The exceptions to this are identified in:
E-preferred policy for Journals
Trial databases
The Library encourages trials of new databases or eresources to allow students and staff the opportunity to evaluate their suitability and use. Feedback from trials is used to inform possible purchase decisions.
Trials of new electronic resources can be arranged by contacting your Librarian.
Access to the trial resources is available via the new resources and trial databases link on the Library Website. At the end of each trial it is important that a full evaluation of the resource is made and sent to serial.orders@deakin.edu.au.
If you have further queries regarding requesting or trialling a new journal or database please contact your Librarian or the E-resource team.
Licenses and Copyright
Information resources provided by Deakin University Library are subject to license and copyright law and all users are legally obliged to comply. All use of electronic resources subscribed to by Deakin University Library is for educational, research or personal use only. Information must not be used for commercial purposes or re-sold in any way. Any copyright resides with the original author or publisher.
User rights for licensed resources are documented in resource licensing records and communicated via the library catalogue. License information can be found under 'more info' on the full item display for books, journals and videos, and under 'License' when viewing database records.
Open access
The Library is a strong supporter of open access information resources and aims to provide large open access collections via the Library website. The Library also actively supports a number of open access initiatives including Deakin Research Online, Fusion: Deakin Exhibits Online , BioMed Central, the TROVE digitised newspaper collection and the Knowledge Unlatched project.
Open Access membership models and article processing charge (APC) discounts
Some publishers offer institutions such as universities paid memberships or levies, which mean that authors at the institution can receive a discount on the article processing charges for publishing in some open access and hybrid open access journals. Whilst the Library is generally supportive of open access initiatives, our normal policy is not to fund APCs. The reason for this is that article publishing activity is a part of the research process, and decisions on journal selection for publication and any associated costs should sit with the authors and their research groups. Ideally potential APCs are allowed for in research grant applications. The Library’s main role is providing discovery of, and access to, available scholarly information resources for the wider university.
In some cases journal subscriptions or membership of an association will offer a level of discounted APC as a benefit to institutional authors alongside access to scholarly content. When the scholarly content is required to support the University’s research or teaching and learning activities then the APC discount may also be considered.
For more information on APC discounts, explore the Open Access guide.