Learn from Others: A Look at Collections Policies from ARL Member Institutions

Abstract University of Houston Libraries established a new organizational structure in October 2021 and created the new Collections Strategies & Services department. This unit undertakes a more programmatic, collaborative approach to collections and begins to address the need for a broad, enterprise-wide document that clearly articulates its philosophy and priorities. In order to learn from other libraries and help develop collection plan or policy, an investigation about Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions’ collections policies was conducted. This paper detailed the methodology used to collect these policies, different types of policies and guidelines found on ARL member institutions’ websites, and indications and suggestions for future policy development. The authors also called for collective efforts to build and maintain a collections policies bank for the broad library information science community to facilitate further collaboration and communication across institutions.