Acquisitions Policies

Books

Acquisition of library materials is largely faculty driven. Library liaisons may assist faculty in the selection of books through distribution of Choice review cards, routing of publisher catalogs or other means. Liaison librarians also order materials to support courses, paying particular attention to subject areas in which faculty are not ordering materials. Faculty may submit requests through liaison librarians or directly to the Acquisitions Department. An online order form is available to submit requests electronically, or faculty may submit copies of catalogs, flyers, Choice cards, etc. All book requests must carry a designated priority as follows:

  1. Supports course content - likely to be used for reserve, to have specific reference made to it or to be used for class preparation.
  2. Supports student research - likely to be used in preparing papers or projects.
  3. Supports general collection development - titles that provide broad subject coverage, add diverse perspectives, or that generally support a basic liberal arts education.

Important:
A, B and C priority items are processed in the order of their priorities, depending on the state of the book funds. We will not necessarily purchase a C priority item if the item is available through Prospector and a borrowed copy is acceptable for your use.

Leisure Reading

The Leisure Reading Section offers the CC community a modest selection of recent publications for leisure reading. It includes a selection from many genres, including Biography, True Adventure, Women's Fiction, General Fiction, Science Fiction, Popular Science, Nature Writing, History, Political Essays, Popular Culture, etc. The collection is not intended to be a comprehensive collection of titles currently available in bookstores but rather to offer CC readers a sampling of best sellers and other current titles that are being reviewed and discussed by the reading public. Titles are then transferred into the permanent collection.

Textbooks

As a general policy, the library does not purchase copies of required textbooks for Colorado College classes, and students should not rely on the library for access to texts. Exceptions may be made for textbooks which are considered standard reference works in the subject area. The library will purchase editions of literary or nonfiction monographs that are selected as readings for classes and are not represented in the library collection.

Journals and Newspapers

Requests for Subscriptions

The library's Collection Development Group reviews all requests for new subscriptions. Faculty should send these requests to their library liaison, who will present the titles to the Collection Development Group. Because subscriptions represent an ongoing commitment of funds, library staff time, and shelving space, these requests are reviewed somewhat more stringently than book requests: the overriding factor in approval of a subscription request is the title's usefulness for student research. The following factors are considered in evaluating requests for new subscriptions:

  1. Does the periodical support the curriculum of the college?
    b. Is this a core title in the discipline?
    c. Is the title covered in an online index available through Tutt Library?
    d. Does this title fill a gap in the subject holdings for this discipline?
    e. Is the (foreign) language of publication appropriate?
    f. Is this title available via full-text electronic services accessible through Tutt Library?
    g. What is the reputation of the issuing organization or publisher?
    h. Is the title to be used primarily for faculty research and, if so, would document delivery services or ILL provide a suitable substitute?

One Format Policy for Journals

The library does not pay for periodical subscriptions in duplicate formats. The electronic version is the preferred format when a) current issues are available through a reliable electronic source, and b) back issues are preserved and accessible to CC in electronic format according to archival preservation standards.* Exceptions may be made for compelling content reasons: i.e. print quality in the case of heavily illustrated periodicals; color illustrations; or advertising.
(*Examples of archival electronic journal services include JSTOR, Portico and Project Muse.)

Databases

While the library welcomes recommendations from the faculty for new database services, the liaison librarians have initiated most database services. The Collection Development Group reviews all new database requests and makes the decision whether to subscribe based on the following criteria:

  1. Does the database support the curriculum of the college?
    b. Does the database content fill a gap in the Tutt Library coverage of a subject?
    c. Does the database replace the print version of a publication?
    d. Contract issues: licensing restrictions and cost/value.
    e. Ease of use.
    f. Access methods and ease of management. In general, the library prefers web accessible databases that can be authenticated by IP address for use from any computer on the CC network.

Audio/Visual Materials

Scope of Collection

Tutt Library purchases films at the request of faculty for use within the classroom or as supplementary material to support a specific course.

Films for leisure viewing are also purchased. However, it is not the library’s intention to build a comprehensive collection available in stores, but to offer Colorado College viewers a sampling of current and award winning films being reviewed and discussed by the general public.  

Formats

Tutt Library’s preferred formats for new acquisitions are DVD and Blu-ray video discs. 

Films distributed outside Region 1 (DVD) or Region A (Blu-ray) are coded differently and are incompatible with North American (NTSC) equipment. While we have a PAL formatted player in the library, use of this format is limited to Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and Oceania.  Unless students possess a multi-region or region-free player, they are unable to use the PAL format for home viewing. Therefore, we prefer to purchase the NTSC format whenever possible.

The use of streaming video on college campuses is extremely controversial due to public performance rights.  Tutt Library does not have its own streaming platform and is currently limited to content accessed through Films on Demand and Kanopy

Obtaining permission and access to streaming and other on-line video content not provided by the above services is the sole responsibility of faculty, students, and staff.

Tutt Library is not responsible for video content illegally obtained and/or shown on campus.

Public Performance Rights

Some titles are purchased with limited public performance rights (PPR).

Public performance rights are required if a film is to be shown in class.

If you are unsure as to whether a film you want to show in class has public performance rights, contact Chris Curcio for clarification.

Ratings:

Films are purchased regardless of their MPAA rating or content advisory warnings.

Tutt Library does not label audio/visual media with content advisory warnings or remove materials from the collection because the content is considered offensive.

Weeding:

The film collection is weeded as necessary. 

If a film becomes damaged, it is immediately removed from the collection and replaced, provided it is still legally available.

Librarians occasionally review obsolete formats (such as VHS videotapes) for deselection.  Replacement in a current format, if available, is considered based on usage and requests.

Gifts

Gifts are accepted under the discretion of the Collection Development Librarian with the understanding that they become the property of Tutt Library.  Special conditions cannot be placed on gifts. 

Purchase Requests

Check the library’s on-line catalog before placing your request as the title you need may already be part of the collection. 

Submit your requests directly to your liaison librarian or use the online order form.  Please tell your librarian if a hold needs to be placed on the title after it is received or if it needs to be reserved for a class.

Always include as much information as possible when requesting a film: title, language, distributor, director, actors, the need for subtitles, and other important information you feel is necessary.

A direct link to the exact film you need is always appreciated. 

Requests are prioritized by the date needed.  The requestor will be notified should a delay or problem occur.

Access & Security

As a security measure, the library shelves the entire film collection behind the circulation desk.

Films that are part of the circulating collection are cataloged, managed and maintained by Tutt Library.

These materials circulate among the Colorado College campus community only (students, faculty, and staff) and are not available through interlibrary loan.

Some titles do not circulate.  These non-circulating titles include films that

                                   1.) the library has had to replace due to theft,

                                   2.) are extremely expensive, and

                                   3.) are rare or out of print.

Lost, Stolen or Damaged Materials

You are responsible for the replacement costs for lost, stolen or damaged materials checked out in your name. Please note that some films are very expensive to replace. 

Any film that costs the library more than $100.00 will have a yellow sticker on the cover indicating the price you will be charged if it is lost, stolen, or damaged.

Report an issue - Last updated: 03/14/2022