Section A: Collections

Sufficiency of and access to collections and information resources is unaffected by consolidation. Collections held by the three libraries of the USF System are sufficient to support over 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The USF Libraries receive 45 percent of the annual U.S. Government Printing Office publication output in a digital format. Rare and unique primary source materials are held by the Special Collections departments of the Tampa and Poynter libraries.

Collection development practices over two decades have focused on acquisitions of e-resources over print, whenever possible, to expand the availability, portability, and currency of materials. The USF Libraries jointly manage a collection of 976 databases, 725,522 e-books, and 69,719 e-journals. A small subset of clinical resources is limited to access by USF Health students and faculty.

A comprehensive listing of all library resources accessed through consortial or statewide groups is contained in [INSERT]. On behalf of the USF Libraries, the Tampa Library subscribesto millions of titles offered by the Center for Research Libraries’ (CRL) and the Hathi Trust.

Collection sufficiency is determined through program accreditations and reviews and environmental scans at the CIP-level for all academic programs ([INSERT]). Evidence-and patron-driven acquisition programs ensure comprehensive access to current digital research materials.

The USF Libraries' websites function as the primary pathway to collections and information resources (see [INSERT]). Library materials can be located and accessed through the online catalog, and EBSCO’s Discovery Service (FindIt). Access to all Florida public university and college catalogs is available in one search. Online finding aids describe and facilitate access to archival and manuscript collections. Online resources created and hosted by the libraries are globally available at no cost.

While on campus, all students and faculty in the USF system have access to collections through the USF network with the exception of select licensed resources for USF Health constituents. Remote access to licensed collections and resources is available only to currently enrolled students and faculty using an authentication and proxy system based on the USF Net ID. Distance learners have the same accessas on-campus students and may request no cost shipment of print holdings and desktop delivery of copies of print articles held by the USF Libraries.

Questions regarding this site and the information contained therein should be directed to Associate Dean Tom Cetwinski.