Thomas J. Watson Library

June 2009

PART I: Policy for collecting electronic resources in core subject areas

The library collects extensively both free and subscription electronic resources accessible via the Web. Electronic resources are collected based on their scholarly value, anticipated widespread use, and cost per use. The availability of existing print resources is also considered when selecting these resources. CD-ROMs are collected highly selectively, although they are added to the collection when they accompany a printed publication. DVDs are collected selectively. Other video formats are generally not collected.

A. Electronic resources collected may include:

• Auction sale and provenance research tools
• Bibliographic indexes
• Biographical resources
• Dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference works
• Full-text electronic books
• Full-text journals and newspapers
• Image databases

B. Criteria for selecting electronic resources:

• Relevance of subject covered to the library’s intended audience
• Resource meets a perceived patron need and fills a gap in the library’s collection
• Resource is requested/suggested by a museum staff member (e.g. curator) or a
museum department
• Cost of resource and our ability to sustain this continued cost
• Balancing cost of resource with the niche content it provides and its relevance to our patrons
• Uniqueness of content
• Significant lack of duplication with other electronic resources
• Scope and depth of coverage
• Relative completeness of content and frequency of updates
• Well-designed interface and intuitive functionality
• Value-added accessibility over corresponding print resource(s)
• Availability of IP-address authentication versus login-access
• Resource can be accessed remotely – i.e. outside the Museum’s IP range.
• Ability to print, save, and email results
• Responsive vendor customer service and technical support, as well as useful Help guides
• Vendor’s reputation and their ability to keep abreast of industry standards and trends for e-resources
• Favorable product reviews from review sources and/or other subscribers
• Vendor provides usage statistics

PART II: Policy for collecting non-core electronic resources

In certain instances, the library will collect non-core electronic resources. This collecting is done in a highly selective manner.

A. Non-core electronic resources collected may include:

• Non-art historical resources
• General reference resources
• Resources that specifically fit the research needs of a department and are not likely to be widely used across the museum

B. Criteria for selecting non-core electronic resources:
(These criteria should be balanced with the criteria in Part I:B.)

• Resource is not available at other New York City area libraries, including libraries and societies that allow access to their resources via individual paid memberships
• Feedback from museum staff
• Cost of resource balanced against anticipated use within the museum
• In the case of a resource that is specific to a museum department:
• Ability of said department to pay for part or all of the resource
• Assessing what other Watson Library resources are currently serving said department’s research needs

PART III: Criteria for canceling a subscription electronic resource

• Usage statistics are consistently low, and remain low, in spite of efforts to market the resource
• Considerable increase in cost of resource, especially without any corresponding increase in content or improved functionality
• Significant access issues
• Outdated interface and lack of functionality
• Duplicate content is found in other electronic resources
• A better resource becomes available, with a superior interface, more affordable cost, and other key improvements
• Severe and repeated vendor problems