Books

Criteria for Selection of Print Materials

1. Content relevant to curriculum
2. Completeness and scope of subject coverage
3. Authoritativeness of author and publisher
4. Quality of scholarship
5. Currency
6. Physical quality--illustrations, paper (acid-free preferred), binding, format, typography
7. Appropriate format, level, language, geographic coverage, and chronological period Policies for Selection of Specific Categories of Print Materials

Dissertations and theses are not purchased for the collection, but those that are submitted to the Libraries are bound and added to the collection. Electronic versions are preferred.

Duplicates are normally only purchased when needed at more than one location, or when warranted for heavy usage.

Library liaisons work with faculty to determine the most appropriate scholarly edition of a work when various editions are available. In some cases it is desirable to collect multiple editions, which differs from duplication.

Popular fiction titles are selected as part of a leasing program on a rotating basis.

Pepperdine Libraries are pleased to accept donations of materials that will enrich existing collections. Gifts are gratefully and willingly accepted as long as no restriction is placed upon their use. Acceptance of gifts will be determined by collection development library staff on the basis of whether the materials fit within the scope of the Libraries' selection policies. Retention or disposition of all gift materials will be determined by the collection development library staff. The library has the right to discard any items in poor physical condition (e.g. brittle paper, water or mildew damage, torn and/or missing pages). The value of donated materials will not be appraised for income tax purposes; however, the libraries will provide a written acknowledgement. Donors are requested to contact the Libraries to discuss potential gifts before sending them.

Payson Library is a Federal Depository library and operates in accordance with the policies of the Federal Depository Library Program. See also Government Documents Collection Policies and Microfilm.

Children's books are selected for use by students in elementary education and other careers working with children. Both fiction and nonfiction books are selected.

Selecting materials that are old, used, or out-of-print is done to fill gaps of materials that are missing, damaged, or were not previously purchased. Retrospective selection is also done to support new academic programs.

Books that do not fit on standard library shelving because of their taller size are put in the Oversize Collection. These books cover all subject areas and are selected using the same criteria used in selecting the regular-sized collection.

Paperback editions are acquired when hardcover editions are not available or when hardcover editions are prohibitively expensive. Considerations include expected use and long-term value of each title.

Pepperdine Libraries maintains a collection of Christian spiritual classics housed in the Plueger Reading Room in Payson Library. This collection includes works that have an enduring impact on how Christians understand and experience God’s presence and work. They represent expressions of spirituality important to the Christian Tradition, and diverse global and historical streams of Christianity. The works range from devotional to scholarly and may include titles authored by members of the Pepperdine community and university guests.

The reference collection contains materials that support the research needs of students and faculty. This collection normally does not circulate. It contains materials such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, directories, indexes, bibliographies, statistical compilations, and handbooks.

Various types of scores are collected including condensed, monument, vocal, orchestral, and solo instrumental scores.

Serial publications are acquired to support the needs of students and faculty and are purchased primarily through standing order plans. See also Periodicals.

Rare and valuable materials are housed in the Library's Special Collections. Please see the Special Collections and University Archives Collection Development Policy for more details.

Textbooks are normally not purchased. Exceptions may occur if a textbook is considered a classic work or is the best source of information on a particular topic.

The University Archives contain Pepperdine University's historic documents. Please see the Special Collections and University Archives Collection Development Policy for more details.