The DVC Library’s Collection Development Policy supports our mission to provide resources, services, and spaces that help students achieve their educational and personal goals. Our policies are designed to promote access, belonging, equity, and collaboration for all users.
This policy outlines how the library selects, maintains, and withdraws print and digital materials in support of instruction, research, and personal enrichment.
The collection includes approximately 85,000 print titles and a wide range of digital resources—over 350,000 e-books, 84,000 journal articles, and 105,000 streaming videos—all accessible at both the Pleasant Hill and San Ramon campuses.
For questions or concerns about library policies and procedures, please contact the library.
The library collection:
All materials are evaluated for inclusion in the library collection based on:
In addition to general selection guidelines, the following criteria are considered for material formats and specific areas of the library collection:
Reference Materials: Authoritative reference works, such as atlases, dictionaries, and encyclopedias, both general and subject specific. Preference for electronic formats, with limited print selection.
Textbooks/Course Reserves: Textbooks are not purchased for general library circulation but may be added to course reserves. Instructors are encouraged to lend personal copies when possible.
Audiovisual: Evaluated for curriculum alignment, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. No outdated or inaccessible formats will be purchased.
Databases: Evaluated for curriculum alignment, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Databases that are subscribed to by academic departments may be managed by and accessed through the library.
Streaming Video: Evaluated for curriculum alignment, accessibility, technical reliability, licensing flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Commercial streaming platforms (e.g., Netflix, Hulu) that do not offer institutional licenses are not supported. Priority given to faculty requests.
Detailed guidance, including licensing models, renewal procedures, and accessibility requirements, is available in Streaming Video for Faculty.
Electronic Resources: Evaluated for curriculum alignment, accessibility, licensing flexibility (unlimited user access and interlibrary lending preferred), and cost-effectiveness. The library may purchase resources in multiple formats based on:
Students and employees may request additions to the library collection through the purchase request form. Purchase requests will be evaluated using the library’s selection guidelines.
To keep the collection relevant, inclusive, and in good condition, librarians regularly review and remove materials that are outdated, unused, or no longer aligned with the college’s curriculum, student interest, or institutional priorities. The library’s withdrawal policies follow best practices as outlined by CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries (Texas State Library and Archives Commission).
Materials may be withdrawn due to:
Withdrawn items may be recycled, donated, or discarded.
Items that are withdrawn, lost, or damaged will be considered for replacement based on the library’s selection guidelines. Additional factors include the availability of updated materials on the topic, the extent to which the subject area is already covered, and current demand for the title.
Students and employees can request materials be withdrawn from the library collection through the withdrawal request form. Withdrawal requests will be evaluated using the library’s withdrawal guidelines.
The DVC Library upholds the principles of intellectual freedom, including user privacy, inclusive and balanced collections, opposition to content filtering and censorship, open access to digital resources and physical spaces, and equitable, non-discriminatory services for all users.
The library also adheres to the following American Library Association (ALA) statements:
Revised September 2025
DVC Library Documents > Library Policies > Collection Development Policy
