University of Wisconsin - Stout

The Collections

The collections of the University Library of the University present a wide variety of material to the university community.

The material in the Main and the Periodical collections are diverse, cover a variety of intellectual levels, from general information to undergraduate study, to graduate research and resources for the faculty and staff.

The Reference collection "provides basic and in-depth information sources in the mission areas of this university. The collection also provides selective coverage of subjects of current interest not directly within these academic disciplines".

The Educational Materials Center consists of five major collections: the Text collection, the Curriculum Guide collection, the Juvenile collection, the Young Adult collection, and Puppet collection. These collections "provide samples of preschool-12 materials for teacher education students" and support the teacher education programs of the university.

Selection Process

The faculty and staff of the university library carefully review information to determine appropriateness of the material for the collections. Because of the wide range of information needs, the active support of the university discipline faculty and staff enhance this selection process greatly. We urge you and your colleagues to assist us in selecting materials for the collections. Students are also encouraged to suggest items that they feel are needed, providing an additional perspective.

Budget

The university allocates a budget for the purchase of materials for the collections. This budget is managed by the Information Resource Development librarian, who makes the final decision for selection based on quality of material, currency of the collection, funds available, courses taught on this campus as well as a number of other factors. There are no department budgets within the collections budgets. The Information Resource librarian makes the decision of priority for purchase. The University Library Collection Development Policy serves as a guide for this process. Faculty and staff are urged to contact Bill Johnston (715-232-2363) to discuss any concerns about the collections budgets.

Collection Development

The Information Resource Development librarian is assisted by a group of colleagues who form the Information Resource Development Committee. This group, in consultation with other library work groups, selects all materials for the collections. Members of this group include a Reference Collection librarian, an Educational Materials Center librarian, and the Instructional Resources Services librarian.

Further information is available in the Information Resource Development Policy.

Faculty, Staff and Student Participation in Selection

Because you are the people who have the most influence in the learning process, or are the end users of the collection, the Information Resource Development staff requests your participation in the process of selection. The best collection is one that has active participation by classroom faculty, staff, and students to build the most comprehensive collection possible.

The Process

To initiate the process for adding a resource, send a request to the appropriate person listed below, providing author, title, publisher, International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and publication date--or a combination of this information--for the item you are requesting. A brochure or other order information is also helpful. If we cannot find the information or if we already own it we will get back to you. An online form is also available from our home page, under Request Forms and here. 

Staff Contacts

If you have recommendations for any of the collections please contact:

For technical assistance:

Last Updated: 04/01/2008 and Last Revised: 1/29/06

Contact Bill Johnston for more information or help on this topic.