Akita International University Nakajima Library Acquisition Policy
Ⅰ. Purpose
The purpose of the Akita International University Nakajima Library Acquisition Policy(hereinafter “the Acquisitions Policy”) is to provide a guideline in acquisitions of AIU
Library materials.
Ⅱ. Mission
The mission of the Acquisition Policy is to ensure that the selection of library materials
supports the mission and goals of the Akita International University.
Ⅲ. Objectives
The main objective of the Acquisitions Policy is to build, maintain and make available
for students, faculty and staff at all levels, a wide range of educational and leisurematerials; diverse in content and points of view, that will enrich and support thecurricular and the extracurricular activities provided by the university.
Ⅳ. Selection Criteria
The Library provides access to collections sufficient in quality, depth, diversity, format,
and currency to support the research and teaching mission of the university.

Thelibrary acquires print materials, audiovisual materials, and digital resources.
General Criteria:
1. Currency and timeliness of material
2. Accuracy, quality, and depth of material
3. Relevancy of subject or title to the institution’s current and potentialscholarly/curriculum needs including “standard or important works in a field”
4. Represents a variety of perspectives on controversial subjects
5. Scope and content (subject representation and diversity)
6. Cost7. Resources in a variety of formats and accessible both virtually and physically
8. Coverage appropriate to the level of study of a subject (minimal/basic,instructional support, intermediate study, advanced study, research level)
Ⅴ. Acquisition Procedures
Item selection is done by a certified professional librarian(s) or certified library staff withsupport from the faculty. Librarians may work with faculty members to identify materials
and make purchasing decisions the best meet the mission and goals of the university.
Students, faculty and staff members may request specific books or films, and othermaterials. Purchase requests may be sent to the library at any time, and those requests
will be reviewed by the Library Administration Committee members before purchase.

Approximately 70% of collection materials should be in English and 30% in Japanese.
Materials in other languages shall be reviewed based upon request.
Categories for Collections and Selection Process:1. Collection for Teaching and Learning: Materials to support AIU’s curricular needs-Materials listed on the syllabus and recommended by faculty

2. Collection for Research: Materials for the specialized research needs of faculty and staff
and students conducting advanced research-

Requested by faculty, staff and students, and approved by the Library Administration.
Committee
Note: Highly specialized materials which are expected to be used by a very limited
number of specialists are encouraged to be purchased through faculty researchfunds.

3. General Collections: Materials to gain a broad knowledge of world cultures, humansocieties, and the natural world-

Requested by students, faculty and staff, and approved by the Library Administration.
Committee-

Selected by librarians

4. Recent academic publications-

Selected by librarians with the consultation of faculty as needed

5. Reference Materials-

Selected by librarians and approved by the Library Administration Committee

6. Audio Visual Materials-

Requested by students, faculty and staff, and selected by librarians

7. Materials about AIU and Publication by AIU-

Collected by librarians

8. Faculty and Staff Works-

Collected upon notice or donated by faculty and staff

9. Periodicals：Domestic and international newspapers, academic journals, government

documents, magazines, and other periodicals are subject to this category.
-

Selected by the Library Administration Committee-Periodicals shall be reviewed every three years.

10. Databases‐Selected by the Library Administration Committee‐Databases shall be reviewed every three years.

11. Donated materials-

Selected by librarians based on the separate guideline

VI. Collaboration with the Language Development and Intercultural Studies
Center (LDIC).
Language educational materials should be acquired in collaboration with theLDIC to maximize convenience for users and avoid duplication of collections
whenever appropriate.
VII. Excluded Items
As a general rule, the following will not be considered for acquisition. However,materials to be used in research shall not be automatically excluded.
1. “How-To” materials; overtly biased practical manuals（how-to, self-help, etc.）
2. Self-Published/Independent Fiction
3. Books published by a religious or political organization for the purpose ofpublic relations or advertisement. However, works of an overtly ideological,
religious, or politically-oriented nature will not automatically be excluded, incase materials can be used for research or as class materials.
4. Books that are not considered to have an academic value published byindividuals or literature societies.
5. Materials for entertainment purposes with little demand from the majority ofstudents should not be purchased.
6. Works of questionable objectivity; this includes vanity publications, amongothers.
VIII. Collection Maintenance and Weeding
To stay current and meet the needs of students and researchers, the library willemploy a comprehensive system for updating the collection with new materials andeliminating older materials. Details of maintenance and weeding procedure aredetermined separately.
IX. Revision
Any revisions to the acquisition policy or the selection criteria shall be considered
and decided upon by the Library Administration Committee, and shall beimplemented by the Director of the Library.
The above shall be implemented from April 1, 2017.

The above shall be implemented from December 22, 2017.
The above shall be implemented from October 15, 2019