Collection Development

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 Blu-ray or DVD copy, if available.

The library will not offer full digitization of media for course reserves based on guidance from the DePaul Office of General Counsel on Fair Use guidelines and the Teach Act. Under the law, up to 10% of an audio or visual material may be digitized (as a reasonable and limited portion of media). The library is also permitted to create digital copies of damaged, rare, or out-of-print physical items from its collection, if the digital version is not available for purchase. For more information on copyright, please see the University's policy on Copyright and Fair Use and the Teaching Commons page on Copyright and the Classroom.

Physical video formats (Blu-ray and DVD) will only be purchased when online streaming video options are not available to academic libraries or are cost-prohibitive. Blu-ray is the library's default physical video format; the library will only purchase DVDs when Blu-ray discs are not available. Blu-ray discs and DVDs will be able to be placed on reserve for students to watch in the library.   

The library will not offer full digitization of media for course reserves based on guidance from the DePaul Office of General Counsel on Fair Use guidelines and the Teach Act. Under the law, up to 10% of an audio or visual material may be digitized (as a reasonable and limited portion of media). The library is also permitted to create digital copies of damaged, rare, or out-of-print physical items from its collection, if the digital version is not available for purchase. For more information on copyright, please see the University's policy on Copyright and Fair Use and the Teaching Commons page on Copyright and the Classroom.

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.

Materials in the University Library are selected to support the instructional and research needs of the university community. A patron who wishes to request the reconsideration of library material must file a formal written request for reconsideration using the Reconsideration Request Form.

Guiding Principles

• Guided by an ethic of Vincentian personalism and professionalism, DePaul compassionately upholds the dignity of all members of its diverse, multi-faith, and inclusive community. The University Library reflects this mission by curating a collection that supports the diverse teaching and scholarship needs of the University.   

• All library users have a First Amendment right to read, view, and listen to library resources.

• The University Library adheres to the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association.

• The Collection Steering Committee will only accept formal complaints from DePaul affiliated students, faculty, and staff as our materials are intended to support the instructional and research needs of the university community.

• When library resources are reconsidered, the principles of the freedom to read, listen, and view are defended rather than specific materials.

• A questioned item will be considered in its entirety, not judged solely on portions taken out of context.

• The Library complies with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) which protects students’ privacy with regard to educational records. Student educational records include circulation history and cannot be shared with parents or guardians without written permission of the student. 

• Questioned items will remain in circulation during the reconsideration process.

• All formal complaints will be taken seriously and go through the formal reconsideration process in a timely manner.

Process

A patron who wishes to request the reconsideration of library material must file a formal written request for reconsideration using the Reconsideration Request Form. The request will be reviewed and recommended upon by the Collections Steering committee. The committee will communicate its recommendation to the Associate Vice-President for Academic and Library Affairs who will share a determination for approval based on the Library’s and University’s policies and procedures. The Associate Vice-President for Academic and Library Affairs will communicate the decision to the patron who filed the request.