6.1 Selection Criteria

6.1.1 Subject Coverage

The broad subject areas covered are science, technology and medicine (STM), including multidisciplinary STM information. Certain subject areas in this broad range may be excluded due to in-depth coverage in other Canadian government library collections. NRC-CISTI currently has a document delivery agreement with the Canadian Agriculture Library. As the Canadian Agriculture Library maintains the most important collection of food and agricultural literature in Canada, NRC-CISTI does not duplicate this collection.

To support NRC-CISTI's strategic priorities and those of NRC institutes, branches and programs, certain STM related fields are also covered, such as business information to support activities such as commercialization, innovation and technology transfer; and health information to support Canadian health organizations.

Materials peripheral to STM are acquired as needed to meet the research needs of NRC institutes.

6.1.2 Physical Formats

6.1.2.1 Print

NRC-CISTI collects in the print format to ensure that Canadians have access to the collection through NRC-CISTI's onsite and document delivery services unless indicated otherwise in section 6.2.

6.1.2.2 Electronic

NRC-CISTI negotiates access to resources in electronic format to serve the information needs of NRC employees. NRC-CISTI negotiates access for specific NRC sites or for the entire Council based on availability of funds.

NRC-CISTI endeavours to secure permanent access and local loading of electronic content.

NRC-CISTI is also pursuing agreements with publishers to allow the electronic collection to be used for NRC-CISTI's document delivery service.

6.1.2.3 Microformats

NRC-CISTI no longer collects microformats, such as microfilm, microfiche, and microcards.

6.1.2.4 Other Formats

NRC-CISTI does not generally collect materials in other formats such DVDs, videotapes, CD-ROMs and computer disks. These formats are not reliable in the medium- and long-term due to changes in technology and are not stable for archival purposes. NRC-CISTI may collect information in these formats if the information is of high value to the collection, time sensitive in the case of conference proceedings (see section 6.2.2) or is required for NRC work.

Items in other formats that accompany print materials will generally be included in the collection.

6.1.3 Country of Publication

NRC-CISTI collects information resources published from around the world.

6.1.4 Language of Publication

NRC-CISTI collects in all languages but emphasizes English- and French-language materials. Since NRC-CISTI has document delivery agreements with the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (ISTIC) in China, the Korea Institute of Scientific and Technical Information (KISTI) in Korea, SUNMEDIA Company in Japan, and the Science and Technology Information Center (STIC) in Taiwan, NRC-CISTI no longer collects serials published in the vernacular languages of these countries.

6.1.5 Date of Publication

NRC-CISTI strives to acquire complete runs of journals for the main collection starting from the first issue published. When subscriptions commence after the first issue, the decision of whether to acquire backfiles is based on how many backfiles would be required to complete holdings and how they would serve NRC-CISTI's mission in light of financial constraints.

For other publications, NRC-CISTI acquires recently published titles unless an NRC client requires an older publication to further NRC work.

6.1.6 Collecting Levels

This Policy draws upon the revised definitions of Conspectus collecting depth indicators developed in 1996 and early 1997 by the Association of Research Libraries.

NRC-CISTI collects at the research level in STM, including multidisciplinary STM information except when otherwise indicated in section 6.2. NRC-CISTI collects at the basic level in certain STM related fields, such as business information in support of activities such as commercialization, innovation and technology transfer; and health information to support Canadian health organizations. Materials peripheral to STM are acquired as needed at the minimal level to meet the research needs of NRC institutes.

See Appendix A for definitions of collecting levels.

6.1.7 Replacements

Missing items and items damaged beyond repair are replaced if available in the current book trade and as the budget allows.

6.2 Selection Considerations by Publication Type

6.2.1 Journals

6.2.1.1 Format

If journals are available in both print and electronic format, NRC-CISTI will collect a print copy for the main collection and an electronic copy for the electronic collection when funds are available. When funds are not available, priority is given to the print format.

6.2.1.2 Retention Statement

The retention statement indicates whether the item is to be permanently retained or the period of time the item is to remain in the collection. Factors taken into consideration when assigning a retention statement include the relative importance and enduring value of the journal in the STM literature and whether NRC-CISTI is the only location for the serial in Canada. NRC-CISTI's role as a national science library must also be considered when assigning retention statements.

NRC-CISTI retains journals permanently in the main collection. Journals in regional collections will be retained based on the local requirements.

6.2.1.3 Sole Journal Subscriptions in Canada

When NRC-CISTI is informed that a Canadian library has cancelled the sole remaining Canadian subscription to an STM journal title subscription, NRC-CISTI reviews the title for possible inclusion in NRC-CISTI's collection. NRC-CISTI may take up subscriptions for those serial titles that meet NRC-CISTI's selection criteria.

6.2.2 Conference Proceedings

NRC-CISTI makes a special effort to locate, purchase and catalogue conference proceedings from around the world. The preferred format for conference proceedings is print. If the conference proceeding is time sensitive, NRC-CISTI will acquire the material as soon as it is available regardless of format.

NRC-CISTI retains conference proceedings, including second copies, permanently in the main collection.

6.2.3 Monographs

NRC-CISTI collects monographs selectively. The preferred format for monographs is print.

6.2.4 Technical Reports

NRC-CISTI collects all NRC technical reports. Other technical reports are collected selectively. NRC-CISTI makes an effort to provide access to technical reports available for free on the Internet.

NRC-CISTI retains technical reports permanently in the main collection.

6.2.5 Theses

NRC-CISTI does not collect theses, as they are readily available through the degree-granting university. NRC-CISTI accepts theses when they are included in monographic or technical report series, but will not purchase a monographic or technical report series dedicated to theses.

6.2.6 Newspapers

NRC-CISTI purchases newspapers for reference purposes only.

Newspapers are retained for a limited period in response to NRC requirements.

6.2.7 Newsletters

NRC-CISTI collects newsletters in response to NRC requirements.

Newsletters are retained for a limited period in response to NRC requirements.

6.2.8 Standards

NRC-CISTI does not collect standards for its main collection, and generally does not collect them in the NIC collections, as they can be obtained from the Standards Council of Canada or other providers.

6.2.9 Patents

NRC-CISTI does not collect patents for its main collection, and generally does not collect them in the NIC collections, as they are freely available on the Internet or readily available from commercial or government sources.

6.2.10 Market Research Reports

NRC-CISTI does not collect market research reports for its main collection as they become out-of-date quickly and sections of these reports are available from commercial sources.

6.2.11 Reference Material

NRC-CISTI acquires reference material to support NIS Information Specialists in their work to serve NRC institutes, branches and programs, and Canadian researchers and entrepreneurs in the academic, industrial, health and public sectors. When material is available in both print and electronic format, the electronic format is preferred.

NRC-CISTI retains only the most recent version of print reference materials.

6.2.12 Databases

NRC-CISTI acquires databases exclusively to support the information needs of NRC. Due to limited funding, access to databases may be limited to specific institutes or regions.

6.2.13 Web sites

An increasing number of Web sites for resources such as scholarly journals, institutional repositories and databases are available freely on the Internet. While NRC-CISTI recognizes the possible ephemeral nature of Internet resources, the research value of some of these materials makes them a useful addition to the collection. NRC-CISTI will selectively identify, evaluate and provide access to Web sites that provide valuable research information to support the information needs of NRC.

6.3 Deselection

Once selected in accordance with this Collection Development Policy, material is assumed to remain of value. Deselection could occur due to lack of space or if items are damaged.

Journal subscriptions may be cancelled if subject coverage or format changes so that the item falls outside the selection criteria of this Policy.