Library Policies

Computers at the UHV Library are provided for academic use and research.

In order to provide a pleasant atmosphere for all, we ask for the following considerations:

  • Speak softly
  • Set cell phones to mute or vibrate. Take your phone conversation outside.
  • Drinks must be in closed containers. Avoid foods that will disturb others.
  • Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children must be under supervision and remain with the parent or guardian at all times.
  • Availability permitting, non-enrolled students and the general public have limited use the computers for research purposes.
  • Only persons high school age or older may use the computers.
  • Enrolled students, faculty, and staff have first priority for use.
  • Games are not supported.
  • "Adult entertainment" is not allowed.
  • Only library-provided software may be used on the computers.
  • Download and install of other programs is not permitted.
  • Copyright laws must be observed.
  • The UHV Library is not responsible for damage done to users' flash drives, discs, or data resulting from any malfunction of library hardware or software.
Misuse of computers or any other equipment, as well as disregard of any of the above may result in loss of privileges.
  1. Study Rooms can be checked out with a current library card
    • Groups have priority over individuals
    • Students, faculty, and staff have priority over non-affiliated members
  2. Time Period
    • Rooms check out for 2 hours at a time
    • Rooms can be renewed for additional check out unless others are waiting
  3. Reservations
    • Rooms may be reserved up to 48 hours in advance. Please notify us if you are unable to come
    • Reservations made on a continuing basis are allowed only by Faculty
  4. All library policies apply

    Drinks with lids are allowed. Food is allowed as long as it does not disturb others.

Revised Feb 2022

This collection development policy is a statement of principles and guidelines used by the UHV Library in the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and maintenance of library materials and resources. This policy is a general guide. Exceptions may be made to admit valuable materials when adequately justified by the interests of the library and the communities it serves.

The Victoria Regional History Center has a separate collection development policy.

Objective

The primary objective of collection development activities at the UHV Library is to build and maintain a library collection that serves as a curricular and research resource for undergraduate and graduate programs of the University of Houston-Victoria. The library will endeavor to obtain materials needed for faculty study and research either through purchase or interlibrary loan.

Intellectual Freedom and Diversity

The Library supports intellectual freedom and the highest standards for the profession, as presented in the following American Library Association documents:

Developing a diverse collection requires:

  • selecting content in multiple formats
  • considering resources from self-published, independent, small, and local producers
  • seeking content created by and representative of marginalized and underrepresented groups
  • evaluating how diverse collection resources are cataloged, labeled, and displayed
  • including content in all of the languages used in the community that the library serves, when possible
  • providing resources in formats that meet the needs of users with disabilities

Diverse Collections: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

Collection Scope

The UHV Library collects materials in many formats and of all levels to support undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty. The Library continues to collect both physical and electronic materials for the foreseeable future.

Selection Criteria for Materials and Resources

Materials purchased for the collections of the UHV Library will be selected using the following criteria:

  • Materials needed to support faculty requirements for course assignments and student research.
  • Core materials to support the curriculum at both institutions, with an emphasis on major programs and subject areas.
  • Full-text electronic resources to support the online and off-campus courses offered.
  • Potential or known use to patrons.
  • Appropriate format for optimal use.
  • Scarcity of available material in a subject area.
  • Age of material in subject area (subjects where materials become dated quickly).
  • Reputation of author / creator or literary merit or artistic quality.
  • Faculty recommendations in their areas of research, specialization, or interest.
  • Recreational reading or audiovisual materials of general interest for the students, staff and faculty on campus. These materials support student well-being and support of campus life.

Selection Responsibility

Librarians are assigned as selectors in subject areas based on the Library of Congress classification system and are responsible for ongoing acquisition and weeding in those areas. Requests from faculty to support current and planned course needs are highly desired and encouraged.

Allocation of Funds

While the ultimate responsibility for the materials budget and collection development policy decisions rest with the Director of Libraries, it is the responsibility of the Head of Technical Services to allocate the materials budget in order to fulfill the library's collection development objectives. Funds are allocated based upon size of the relevant program (number of faculty and students), number of courses taught, selection priority guidelines, and average cost of resources. The Head of Technical Services shall determine, with the Director, which requests shall receive priority when funds are limited.

 

Evaluation, Retention, and Replacement Criteria

Materials in the collection are regularly evaluated for retention or replacement as a part of the selection procedure. Individual Selectors are responsible for communicating with faculty members at both institutions, as appropriate, to evaluate, select, weed, and replace materials in their subject areas. The criteria used in evaluation are:

  • Demand due to curricular needs
  • Currency appropriate to the subject area
  • Value as an item of enduring interest
  • Format appropriate to current technology
  • Current or potential usage
  • Condition of the material
  • Available funds

 

Gifts

The UHV Library welcomes donations that support the research and educational missions of the University of Houston-Victoria.  Gifts are expected to supplement existing collections, support the curriculum programs, or provide the Library with materials of interest which might not otherwise be purchased.  Materials must be in good condition.

Materials not generally accepted include:

  • Titles the library already owns
  • Mass market paperbacks
  • Textbooks and computer science books over 5 years old
  • Periodicals (journals, magazines, newspapers)
  • General reference works
  • Gray literature (annual reports, working papers, conference proceedings)
  • Ephemera (bulletins, minutes of meetings, pamphlets, yearbooks)
  • Loose-leaf materials
  • Discontinued or specialized media formats (VHS, microfilm, vinyl)
  • Orphaned supplemental materials, such as workbooks and reading guides
  • Computer software

You will be asked to fill out a Donation Agreement Form, which specifies the terms of the agreement and provides a record of the donation. The Library acknowledges all gifts. Pursuant to Internal Revenue Service regulations, no monetary evaluation can be made. The Library reserves the right to refuse a donation. The agreement also specifies that, upon donation, materials become the property of the UHV Library and may be added to the library's collection, discarded, or sold at the library's discretion.

Reviewed and Updated: June 2022