Collection Philosophy - approved on July 1, 2025, by Collection Managers
The University of Oregon (UO) Libraries collects, preserves, and provides access to resources that support the teaching, learning, and research needs of the UO community, as well as external scholars and the public. The Collection Philosophy establishes the principal framework for collection development and maintenance at the UO Libraries. The framework guides collection managers and subject specialists across various disciplines through the processes of evaluating, selecting, acquiring, replacing, and deselecting library resources. The UO Libraries upholds the principles outlined in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. The UO Libraries are committed to adhering to the values articulated in the UO’s Mission Statement and the Libraries’ Strategic Design while aligning collection development efforts with the objectives of Oregon Rising.
Digital vs. Print
UO Libraries strive to balance the enduring value of print materials with the accessibility and transformational potential of digital and electronic resources. While print remains essential for certain disciplines and archival purposes, digital formats are prioritized for their broad accessibility, support for remote learning, data mining, and enhanced searchability. Decisions for acquiring or deselecting resources are made based on user needs, usage data, and long-term preservation goals.
Just in time vs. Just in case
The Libraries employ a hybrid approach that combines proactive collection building ("just in case") with responsive acquisitions ("just in time"). While foundational materials are acquired in anticipation of academic needs, demand-driven acquisition models and interlibrary loan services ensure timely access to fulfill user requests.
Access vs. Ownership
Recognizing the evolving nature of scholarly communication, UO Libraries emphasize providing access to a wide range of resources, whether through direct ownership or collaborative agreements. While ownership ensures long-term availability, access models such as licensing and consortia borrowing expand the breadth of materials available to users.
Open vs. Subscription
The Libraries support a sustainable scholarly ecosystem through a combination of subscription-based materials and open-access resources. We maintain essential subscriptions while actively supporting faculty’s creation and selection of OERs for teaching and research. Investments in open educational resources (OER), institutional repositories, open publishing, and open access agreements reflect a commitment to equitable access and the democratization of knowledge.
Depth vs. Breadth
Collection development is guided by the need to support both specialized research and broad interdisciplinary inquiry. In areas of institutional strength, the Libraries collect in depth to support advanced scholarship. In other areas, a broader but less intensive approach ensures coverage across the curriculum, fosters intellectual exploration, and reflects the information needs of UO’s diverse community.
Partnership vs. Independence
While UO Libraries maintain autonomy in curating collections that reflect the unique needs of the university community, we also engage in strategic partnerships with consortia, peer institutions, and community organizations. These collaborations enhance resource sharing, open publishing, reduce duplication, and amplify the impact of collective investment.