Collection Assessment and New Academic Programs

At Oregon State University, the library is included in the review process for each new program proposal. Historically, this inclusion has taken the form of a mandatory statement regarding the adequacy of the library collection to support the new program. The level of assessment undertaken to justify these statements has changed and become more rigorous over time. These assessments also provide a basis for including collections as a component of the cost of university support for new programs but seldom result in sufficient increased funding. Their true value may be in the opportunity for dialogue on the future of scholarly communication.