Collection Development

Practice

The SHSU library generally does not purchase textbooks. However, a subject librarian has the discretion to purchase a textbook if it has research, study, or archival value beyond the needs of individual coursework.

A textbook is a manual of instruction specifically intended for the use of students enrolled in a course of study or preparing for an examination on a subject or in an academic discipline. 

Textbooks present challenges for library collection development because:

• Textbooks are frequently updated with new editions
• Textbooks are designed and sold as 1 copy per student. The library seeks to purchase single copies of works to be used by all library patrons.
• Library budgets and space constraints do not allow the Library to purchase and maintain all copies of books used in SHSU courses.

Procedure

Faculty or student submits request for purchase of a textbook to subject selector. 

The Subject Selector considers available budget funds, usefulness of textbook to the library collections, and uses their discretion to purchase or not purchase the textbook