Electronic Resources Acquisition Policy and Procedures

General Principle:

Discussion of renewal or new databases take place at the Roundtable level, where user needs are the primary consideration. Broad-based resources are evaluated by a volunteer library liaison and presented to the Library Advisory Group (LAG) for new and renewal decision.

Specific Procedures:

1. Roundtables are responsible for evaluation and funding subject specific electronic databases.
2. If an electronic database is not renewed, funds remain in the roundtables' funds.
3. Interdisciplinary or general databases (e.g. Nexis/Lexis and InfoTrac's Expanded Academic) will be considered by LAG.
4. Roundtables will rely on the "database of databases" which provides accurate information on the vendors, cost, renewal date, etc. for each database. This database of databases is maintained by Serials.
5. Roundtables will conduct regular and methodical evaluations of each database prior to renewal on a triennial basis. Changes in platform or large increases in price may require more frequent evaluations.
   
   Reviewed August 18, 2006