The collection development department coordinates the efforts of the library in acquiring materials in support of the educational and research needs of Saint Mary's College faculty, staff and students. Faculty and librarians may request books and other materials for the library using the Acquisitions Order Form.

Materials marked in the online catalog as On Order or In Process can be expedited for "rush cataloging" upon request and you will be notified when they are available for your use. In addition, new acquisitions are included in the New Book List.

If you have questions about the library's collection development policy and how to select materials for the Library's collections a recommended selection and book review tool is "Choice" which is available online (please use Internet Explorer to access this journal and log off when finished). You may also contact the Collection Development librarian, Julie Long, at #5289 with your questions.

Gift Policy

The Library accepts gift materials according to the same criteria as for newly published materials. Gift materials can be a welcome way to enrich the collections if the books or journals are appropriate to the information needs of the Saint Mary's College Community. However, gift books are really never "free," because of costs of processing and long term storage.

Gifts materials are accepted on the condition that the Library be permitted to add them to the collection at its discretion and to dispose of materials not selected for the collection. The Library does not provide appraisals, but does provide a standard letter acknowledging receipt.