Library Executive

Scott Nicholls University Librarian

 

Amanda Bellenger  Associate University Librarian (Library Engagement and Experience)

 

Jodi Neindorf Associate University Librarian (Library Research and Collections)

Strategic Plan

The Library’s Strategic Plan 2024-26 sets out our principles and priorities for the Library over the coming years.

Library Strategic Plan [PDF 9.7MB]

Collection Management Policy

The Library’s collection management policy guides the development of the collection by academic and Library staff.

The collection management policy covers:

1. Selection
2. Allocation of Funds
3. Collection Maintenance
4. Access

1. Selection

1.1 Purpose

Purchased material is selected for the collections to support and benefit the current teaching, learning and research needs of the staff and students of the University.

Donations:

• Donated material is only selected where it meets the criteria for inclusion in the Special Collections or University Archives.
• The Library does not accept unsolicited donations. Prospective donors must contact the Library in advance to discuss their proposed donation to ensure that it aligns with our collection needs.
• Donated material is accepted on the understanding that items not selected for inclusion in the collection may be disposed of at the Library’s discretion.
• Donated material becomes the property of UWA Library and may not be claimed back at a later date.
• Donations accepted into the Library collection will be subject to the Collection Maintenance and other principles within this policy, including Library decision making about future retention and withdrawal.

Exceptions to this policy may be made at the discretion of the Library Manager, Research & Academic Engagement or the University Archivist. 

1.2 Responsibilities

The Library is responsible for:

• Developing collections using evidence-based principles to meet the teaching, learning and research needs of the University.
• Ongoing collecting of all UWA higher degree by research publications and theses.
• Ongoing management of University Archives and Records accumulated in compliance with the UWA Information Retention Policy, the UWA Recordkeeping Plan and the WA University Sector Disposal Authority.

1.3 Format

Resources will be purchased in electronic format where available to ensure access from anywhere at any time. Exceptions to this may be due to issues of accessibility, quality, suitability for purpose and cost.

1.4 Language

The Library gives preference to the acquisition of English-language materials. Material in languages other than English are included in the collection if they support teaching and learning in languages taught at UWA. Foreign language materials may be acquired if they are required for research. 

1.5 Special Collections

The Library maintains and develops special collections in specific areas of focus, namely Australian literature, the Indian Ocean, the WA Aboriginal collection, and the UWA History collection, which support UWA research and the broader community.

1.6 Formed collections

Collections of information resources that have been assembled by individuals or groups (formed collections) are only acquired and retained as discrete collections when they have a value as a coherent collection which they would not have if dispersed.

1.7 Affordable and open access to information

The Library advances open access to information resources for learning, teaching, and research through a diversity of models, and actively pursues sustainable approaches that maximise access. 

2. Allocation of Funds

2.1. The information resources budget is allocated and managed by the Library.

2.2. The Library continually analyses its collections to ensure they are meeting the needs of the UWA community and providing the best return on investment from the Library’s ongoing financial commitments.

2.3. The information resources budget is used to acquire information resources in support of the University’s teaching, learning and research needs.

2.4. In working to further the University’s goal of building strong community relationships, the Library seeks to supplement its recurrent budget for information resources with funds from bequests, endowments and gifts.

3. Collection Maintenance

Retention

3.1. Material in the Library’s collections is retained whilst it is deemed to be of continuing teaching or research value.

3.2. Textbook material selected to support the teaching needs of the University is not retained once it ceases to be current and relevant.

3.3. Material is not retained where the information is outdated, misleading or inaccurate, unless the content has intrinsic historical or research value.

3.4. Where the Library holds the same work in multiple formats or copies, one format or copy may be selected for retention and the others withdrawn.

3.5. Donated items made under the Cultural Gifts Program will not be returned to the donor if withdrawn from the collection.

Preservation

3.6. Material that remains relevant but becomes unusable in its current format is withdrawn and replaced with a usable format where possible.

3.7. Appropriate preservation measures are applied to ensure that material which is intended to be retained can continue to be used without difficulty.

4. Access

4.1. The Library aims to provide the maximum amount of access to Library collections to staff and students of the University, however this is subject to geographical constraints and copyright and licensing restrictions. Members of the public physically visiting UWA Libraries in Western Australia have access to the print collections, except for those covered in 4.3, and to online collections where licenses permit this access.

4.2. To maximise the use of space in the Libraries low use items may be retained in offsite storage and made available upon request.

4.3. Items identified as valuable or rare have mediated access.

4.4. Special arrangements are made to provide equitable access to textbooks and readings required for teaching and learning.

4.5. Library collections are supplemented by providing access to document delivery and inter-library loan services for eligible users.

4.6. The Library will facilitate the searching of, and access to, its collections and resources.

History of the collections

When the University was founded in 1913, the Library was allocated £2000 and held a few hundred books. It is now one of the more significant research libraries in Australia.

In 1999, Dr Emma Hawkes from the Centre of West Australian History edited The History of the Collections of the UWA Library, 1913-1999, which traces the subsequent history of this collection, examining how the library system has developed and how particular collections have been established.

History of collections (PDF 722 KB)

The development of the UWA Library circulation system – How Reid changed Reid

Reid Library, an iconic Brutalist-style building that has become a central hub for UWA was named after Sir Alexander Reid, UWA Chancellor from 1956 to 1968. Reid Library first opened its doors to students in February 1964, however, it was a different Alex Reid who would leave a legacy on UWA’s library and other libraries around the world.

Read the full story