Collection Development Department

Overview

The Collection Development Department is responsible for the selection of all materials for the Library’s collections. This includes books, journals, media, and electronic resources. The selection process requires knowledge of the University of Nebraska Medical center programs. Input from all Library users is sought by the department. If your information resource needs are not being met, or if your needs change, please let us know. Every potential addition to the collection is reviewed for its appropriateness. In general, the focus of the collection is on current, authoritative resources that reflect the teaching, research, and clinical activities at UNMC.

Selection of Materials

Acquisitions are guided by the library's collection development policy. McGoogan Library of Medicine collection is influenced in all areas of UNMC including, but not limited to: nursing, medicine, pharmacology, allied health, dentistry, transplantation biology and practice, oncology basic science and clinical practice, neuroscience, women's health, genetics, cardiovascular medicine, drug delivery systems, rheumatology, and diabetes. The library considers women's health, i.e. obstetrics and gynecology, one of its historical collecting strengths. The Collection Development Committee review new book titles on a weekly basis. Journal titles (also known as Serials titles), electronic bibliographic and full-text databases are reviewed for additions and/or cancellations on an annual calendar-year basis. Please contact Mary Helms, Associate Director, Library Resources & Technology (mhelms@unmc.edu or 402-559-7099) if you have any questions about material selections.

Recommendation of Materials

Not every resource of potential use to the UNMC community can be identified by Collection Development. Library users play an important role in their suggestions for purchase. Anyone who has a recommendation may email (kfoster@unmc.edu), call the Collection Development Department directly (559-7095) or click on “Recommend Materials” on the Library’s homepage. To request the purchase of materials, please provide as much information as possible such as: title, edition, author(s) or editor(s), publisher name, city and/or state of publication, year of publication, the ISBN, and your name, department, phone number, if this item is to be placed on reserve for a class (if you are an instructor) and any comments you may have.

Not every suggestion can be honored as availability of funds and subject appropriateness are considered. However, every effort is made to purchase recommended materials. All requests are reviewed by the Collection Development Committee. The more information you can provide concerning your request, the more quickly we can respond. Items are added as the budget allows. We encourage sponsorship of subscriptions and donations of books authored and/or edited by the UNMC Community.

UNMC Authors and Editors

It is our practice to ask all UNMC contributors if they are able to donate a copy of their book to the Library. Donors are recognized by a gift plate in the volume and in the online catalog record. The Collection Development Department contacts editors, authors, and contributors from UNMC when we are aware of a forthcoming publication to ask if they would like to donate or purchase a copy for the Library. If you would like to purchase a copy of your book for the Library, we are able to do so through our book vendor at a 10% discount. Please contact Mary Helms, Associate Director, Library Resources & Technology at 559-7099 or mhelms@unmc.edu for more information.

Donations

The Library often receives gifts of materials. These items are accepted as an unrestricted gift and as such may not necessarily be made part of the Library’s permanent collections. Donors are recognized by a gift plate in the volume and in the online catalog record for materials that are retained.

Donations and gifts can be sent to or dropped off at the Library’s Circulation Desk. We ask that donors fill out a brief form so gifts may be acknowledged. In accordance with IRS rules the Library, as an interested party, is not allowed to appraise donations, per IRS regulations. If you are interested in an appraisal for journal issues or volumes, you will find that Absolute Backorder Service, Inc. is an excellent company to work with; our primary contact is Sandy Belskis, General Manager.

Absolute Backorder Service, Inc.
475 Washington Street
Wrentham, MA 02093
voice: 508-384-0122
fax: 508-384-0097
web: http://www.absolute-inc.com/_/

Please contact the Collection Development Department if you have questions about donations at 402-559-7099.

Monetary contributions are handled through the Library director's office (402-559-7078 or nwoelfl@aunmc.edu).

Departmental Libraries

Several units across the UNMC campus have worked with the McGoogan Library in the organization of their department departments.
If your department is interested this service, contact Sheryl Williams, head, Materials Processing Department at 559-7098 or swilliam@unmc.edu.

contact a librarian: Last updated: March 14, 2008