The IRG is guided by the principles inherent in the overall content strategy of the Library. Information resources must have both a clear and legitimate beneficiary and they must also have an advocate. The advocates may come from outside the library with teaching faculty and graduate students carrying the greatest weight. Advocates also come from librarian liaisons. Library liaisons serve as subject specialists and represent teaching faculty in their area. Liaisons are responsible for maintaining awareness of important information resources and the needs of their area and bring them to the attention of the IRG for discussion. Thus, a request for any particular resource comes from a knowledgeable and credible source that has a direct relationship to the research and/or curricular needs of the University.
Because of the strong and continuous relationship between vendors and CDM, new resources are frequently brought to the attention of CDM. As they become aware of resources that are relevant to the overall Library’s content strategy, they will forward information regarding these resources to IRG and/or to liaisons for their consideration. It is the function of the IRG to consider requests using the principles outlined above within the context of the overall material budget and University procurement policies. The IRG should take into consideration the long term as well as the short term ability to continue funding a particular resource when it is a continuing resource.
IRG will use relevant assessment data provided by CDM when evaluating resources.
Minutes will be kept of all meetings. Because there are decisions regularly being made with regard to information resources, it is important that a record be maintained of these decisions. One of the members of the IRG will be responsible for both taking the minutes and making them available. The secretary will be determined by the group.
