Overall guidelines for the University Library were approved by then-rector Curt Rice on April 2nd 2021.
OsloMet - Metropolitan university shall be a leading provider of research-based knowledge for the welfare society. The University Library (UL) OsloMet will contribute to this goal by offering a relevant collection that meets the needs of students and staff in research and education. UL must acquire and make available printed and digital sources of knowledge, preferably open and digital, within the university's subject areas. The collection will support the strategic initiatives at OsloMet at all times. The development of the collection must take place through active dialogue with the users, and be rooted in the needs and wishes of the students and professional communities.
Guidelines for collection development
By collection development we mean material that the University Library buys, or buys access to, on behalf of students and staff at OsloMet. In addition, there are open, free sources made available by the library.
The collection
UL's collection consists of printed and digital sources, mainly books, journals and subject databases, which UL either owns or subscribes to. The physical collection is housed in four libraries and magazines. The digital collection is available to all students and staff at OsloMet, as well as the general public when they visit one of our libraries. Through the Norwegian and international interlibrary loan collaboration, we also acquire material that is not available in our own collection. In the long run, the printed collection will not increase in size.
Growth
The collection is developed based on the users' wishes and needs within the financial framework that UL has available at all times. In the collection development work, UL acquires material according to the principle when it is needed and not in case the need arises. Purchases are based on requests from academic staff and students, curriculum literature and requests for interlibrary loans. Material is obtained within a reasonable time either via purchase, subscription or interlibrary loan based on an assessment of whether there is a need for permanent access. Where a digital version is available, this is preferred because it ensures access regardless of location and number of simultaneous users. In addition to purchasing, UL makes open, digital sources of knowledge available to our users.
Acquisition takes place in the form of:
- purchase of individual books (printed and digital)
- license agreements and subscriptions to journals and subject databases
- subscription to e-book packages as well as user-directed procurement (EBA/PDA) from publishers and aggregators
- make OsloMet's own publications available
- interlibrary loan of articles and books
- gifts
Digital version
The University Library acquires material primarily in digital form based on:
- rapid availability regardless of time and place
- possibility of simultaneous use and reduced waiting time
- reduced space requirements for physical assembly
- effective collection care
Curriculum literature
UL ensures quality and makes the syllabus lists available to students. The curriculum literature is obtained either via purchase or digitization. The number of copies purchased depends on the size and demand of the student cohort. To ensure rapid availability, electronic access is preferred in combination with a printed version.
Prioritization when purchasing media at OsloMet
When purchasing and building up the collection, UL OsloMet must prioritize according to the following criteria:
Digital rather than analogue
When building up the collection, UL will continue OsloMet's digital ambitions. The library should offer both digital sources and sources on paper, but if UL has to choose, priority should be given to digital media that save space and do not involve transport costs. It is a goal that all course books should be digitally available.
Lowest possible cost per loaned unit
It must be a goal for OsloMet to make efficient purchases so that we get the lowest possible cost per use or per loan. This means that UL must purchase databases, journals and books that are in demand. Databases and journals which after some time prove to be of low use in relation to price, despite marketing, can be dismissed in favour of more in-demand sources of knowledge. The principle of the lowest possible cost per unit of lending should usually count more than the prioritization of strategic subject areas in OsloMet.
Access to the many, not for the few
The library must prioritize having an up-to-date collection for teaching and research purposes for students and staff. If there is a need to prioritize, emphasis must be placed on access that benefits many.
Demand-driven purchasing
Waiting lists must be reduced through purchasing. The library must quickly follow up inquiries about the purchase of books. In the case of requests for borrowing, purchasing must be considered as an alternative.
