Norwalk library would like to build and maintain the library's collection of resources to support the college teaching and learning needs of its academic community. It involves selecting, acquiring, organizing, and evaluating materials such as books, journals, databases, multimedia, and other resources.

Here are some key aspects and considerations in academic library collection development:

• Needs Assessment: Understanding the academic programs, research areas, and information requirements of the faculty, students, and researchers is crucial. Conduct surveys, engage with faculty members, and analyze curriculum and research trends to determine the collection's focus.
• Collection Policy: Develop a collection policy that outlines the library's goals, scope, and selection criteria. This policy serves as a guide for collection development decisions, including resource formats, languages, subject areas, and collection depth.
• Selection Process: Utilize a systematic approach for selecting materials. This may involve consulting subject specialists, reviewing publishers' catalogs, considering recommendations from faculty or researchers, analyzing usage statistics, and assessing the relevance and quality of resources.
• Budget Allocation: Allocate resources effectively by considering the library's budget, subscription costs, and the value and impact of potential acquisitions. Prioritize core materials, but also consider emerging areas and interdisciplinary resources.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and other library staff to gather input, stay informed about research trends, and ensure the collection meets the evolving needs of the academic community.
• Evaluation and Weeding: Continuously evaluate the collection to ensure its relevance, accuracy, and currency. Remove outdated or seldom-used materials through systematic weeding processes to make room for new acquisitions.
• Open Access and Digital Resources: Consider incorporating open access materials, digital collections, and electronic resources into the collection to provide broader access and support evolving research and learning needs.

Baker Library is pleased to accept gifts of books, equipment, and other resources that support the mission of the library and complement its collections. Your thoughtful gift is much appreciated, and all gifts receive careful consideration by library staff. If you would like to make a donation, please submit a list of the available items, including the title, author, publication date, edition, and format (paperback, hardback, etc.). Library staff will assess which items are suitable for our collection.

Donated items must be in good to excellent condition. No damaged or moldy items will be accepted. Textbooks are accepted only if they support the college curriculum and are less than five years old. Bootleg or homemade copies are not accepted. Computer software, original or copied, is not accepted. Magazines and journals are accepted only if the library needs to fill in missing issues. Unsolicited items from publishers or trade vendors are accepted only if they are of academic quality and support the college’s curriculum and the library’s collection. The library will not return unsolicited items at the library’s expense.

If a donated item is accepted and added to the collection, donors will receive a receipt and a letter from the library director acknowledging their gift. The dollar value of the donated materials is not defined.  

Gift materials are given to the library without condition. Baker Library reserves all rights to determine addition to the collection. If you have any questions about donating materials, please Contact the Library.

Baker Library retains only one copy of each title/edition, unless a specific need is known. Materials that are selected to be withdrawn from the collection must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Material is outdated or obsolete
• New editions have been purchased for the collection
• Item is worn or damaged
• Item has been lost

The library director will meet with any person who wishes to make a formal request for removal of a specific item or materials from the library collection. If the individual wishes to pursue the challenge, the library director will request of said individual a formal letter indicating the reasons for the complaint. Upon receipt of the letter, the director will meet with the appropriate administrators for discussion. The library user may be asked to participate in the discussion, in order to seek resolution of the complaint.