Serials

Library staff selectively purchase a wide range of serial publications.

Serials serve as a major source of current information in many academic disciplines and complement the library's book collection. Because each serial title involves a prospective long-term commitment of funds, and because of the increasing cost of these subscriptions, acquisition of new titles requires serious consideration.

Development of the serials collection is a cooperative activity involving faculty and librarians, with final selection responsibility belonging to the librarians.

1. General Serial Selection Guidelines

   The primary criterion used to evaluate and select a serial subscription is the title's support of the educational program of the college. Efforts should be made to achieve a balance among the various departments in ordering serials, keeping in mind the differential reliance upon serial publications and their varying costs.

   Other important considerations are:

   • Accessibility through indexing and abstracting services/subscription databases
   • Subscription price
   • Availability/pricing through interlibrary loan or other document delivery services
   • Interlibrary loan requests
   • Presence on a core-titles list for a department or an accrediting agency
   • Appropriateness for the level of study of the subject at the college
   • Positive reviews in professional literature

   The collection will be examined regularly in order to evaluate its continued adherence to the above considerations.

   To initiate a request for a serials subscription, the requester must complete the Journal Request Form. Specific requirements and procedures are indicated on the request form.

2. Serial Format Selection Guidelines
   • Electronic

     In order to maximize access and minimize space constraints, the library subscribes to serial publications electronically if the electronic version of a title may be obtained through a stable, cost-efficient source.

     For scholarly journals that directly support the Hope College curriculum, electronic format is preferred.

   • Print

     The purpose of our current print periodical collection is to support current news awareness from a variety of voices and viewpoints and encourage leisure reading. We will consider subscribing to print periodicals if they fill a departmental or curricular need, are unavailable electronically, or if the quality of the electronic version is unacceptable.

(Last revised October 2020.)