Collection Development

Under an e-preferred model, the Library will purchase e-books instead of print books when an online version is available. Some examples of exceptions include print format books specifically requested by faculty, titles for which an online version does not exist, or when purchase of an online version is not offered to institutions. E-books are temporarily preferred especially for course reserves because print books take longer to receive (if not already owned), take longer to process, and offer only limited access, i.e., building use only.

The e-book format is temporarily preferred over print primarily because of the greater accessibility offered to those patrons off-campus. However, not all print titles have an online equivalent. Not all e-book publishers sell to academic institutions. Some e-books have digital rights management (DRM) restrictions that limit options for printing, checking out, or accessing content for those users with disabilities. In such cases, library liaisons will apply their expert judgement in selecting the more appropriate format.

Streaming video is the preferred format for all courses regardless of teaching mode (online, hybrid, or in-person). Preferred streaming media platforms include Swank, Kanopy, Academic Video Online (AVON), and Infobase/Films on Demand. If a streaming video option is not available or is cost prohibitive, the Library will purchase a DVD or Blu-ray copy, if available. Digitization requests for course reserves must be placed well in advance of the date needed due to delivery and processing time required.

DVDs and Blu-ray will only be purchased when online streaming video options are not available to academic libraries or are cost-prohibitive. Digitization requests for course reserves must be placed well in advance of the date needed due to delivery and processing time required.

DVDs with public performance rights will only be purchased when it is the only purchase option available—with the understanding that public performances of a video/DVD in a face-to-face classroom is an exception to the public performance right §110 (1) and therefore lawful.

If public performance rights are required for a screening, they must be secured by the sponsoring department or organization.

If it is unclear whether you need to secure PPR, please seek guidance from DePaul's Office of General Counsel.

When needed for electronic course reserves, the Library will purchase a duplicate e-book copy of a print format book already in the collection.

All requests for course reserves materials—including those titles already owned by DePaul—should be placed through the Library’s Course Reserves System. The reserves spending cap for individual courses is $500. Requests for materials that cost cumulatively in excess of this amount will be forwarded to the Acquisitions & Collections Coordinator for consideration.

The Library will default to purchasing a requested title as an e-book with unlimited concurrent users when that option is available. However, e-books are often available with only a single-user option or limited to 3 concurrent users at most. The Acquisitions & Collections Coordinator will monitor reserve requests for e-books limited to 1 or 3 concurrent users and approve the purchase of additional copies if needed.