Michigan State University Libraries

Collection Development Policy Statement: Parks and Recreation

The MSU Libraries supports the research and teaching needs of faculty and students through the doctoral level in Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources. MSU offers degrees in Park, Recreation and Tourism Resources through the college of agriculture and natural resources.

Michigan State University began and remains agriculturally focused. Parks and recreation are a part of that focus.

Collecting should follow and anticipate, when possible, major trends and developments in parks and recreation. The collection should also reflect significant curricular changes. Several purchases made through the CIC for electronic journal packages are available to MSU affiliates.

Regional or network resources:

There are significant collections in the area of parks, recreation, and tourism at both the University of Michigan Libraries and at Wayne State University, as well as other CIC institutions.

The resources collected in the botanical sciences will have a direct relationship to the Agricultural Sciences collection development policy. Overlap may also occur with Hospitality Business.

Collecting emphasizes current research and trends, not historical material, although historical literature is maintained. The journal literature covers all aspects of the field.

Only English language materials are collected.

Mainly North America, but other areas are collected as well.

Formats include scholarly (and some popular) journal literature (both print and electronic), monographs, government publications, websites, field guides, and bibliographies. Due to the high demand for convenient access to information, electronic journals are given priority whenever possible.

Current research is emphasized. The MSU Libraries does not collect retrospectively in this area, and guidebooks, tourist information, and similar resources are weeded regularly for currency.

Specific policies, if any, on replacement, de-selection, out of print acquisition, preservation, etc. Replacement of will occur when appropriate for heavily used or high circulation items.

• Multiple copies are rarely purchased.
• Rare or out-of-print items are seldom purchased.
• Preservation follows the guidelines established by the MSU Libraries.