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Collection Development & Preservation

 

Responsibilities and Objectives

With the opening of the Johnson Center Library in 1995 and major new libraries at the Prince William (1997) and Arlington (1999) campuses, George Mason University Libraries is steadily growing into a truly interdependent system of a research center and a gateway library in Fairfax along with full-service facilities, each with a unique identity, at our other campuses.

Collection development within the George Mason University Libraries is a collaborative effort between individual "Liaison Librarians" and elected or appointed faculty members who serve as departmental representatives to the library. Each team analyzes existing holdings and examines new book, journal, media and electronic possibilities for acquisition in their subject areas. Liaison Librarians welcome faculty recommendations for new materials, and interested faculty are encouraged to forward requests to their designated departmental representative.

Developing collections is a multi-faceted process. Subject specialist librarians must often apply their expertise along with bibliographic skills and knowledge of curricula and research activities to purchasing decisions often affected by constraints on resources. These "Liaison Librarians" further develop and monitor subject-area collections by reviewing and adjusting approval plans and standing orders, by advising the library on gift collections, by directing efforts to replace missing or damaged library materials and by ensuring that purchases lead to usable collections, balanced in terms of depth and breadth. As changes are made to academic programs and departments, liaison librarians also reassess and redirect collection efforts, as appropriate.

Staff

John C. Walsh
Interim Head, Collection Development & Preservation
(703) 993-3711
jwalsh@gmu.edu

Vacant
Collection Development Librarian
(703) 993-3713

Donald Brown
Collection Development Specialist & Preservation Coordinator
(703) 993-3714
dbrown@gmu.edu

Lene Palmer
Collection Development & Preservation Librarian
(703) 993-2667
lenep@gmu.edu

Shrinivas Shetty
Graduate Research Assistant for Collection Development
(703) 993-2193


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