Michigan State University

Collection Development Policy Statement: Botanical and Plant Sciences

Factors Influencing Collection Policy

A. Anticipated Future Trends

Collecting follows and anticipates, when possible, major trends and developments in the botanical sciences. The collection should also reflect significant curricular changes and adapt with content, format and accessibility considerations.

The growth of data-intensive research is exponential, in both creating datasets and accessing desired data for use and analysis. Grant-funded research demands data management plan specifications, including considerations for publishing and sharing data, and uploading to repositories for researcher access.. Relevant granting agencies such as the USDA, the US Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation mandate these data management requirements. To keep abreast of trends, we should look to additional resources of applicable datasets, existing dataset repositories and their content. For guidelines, please see MSU's Digital Research Data Collection Development Policy.

Laboratory and computer technology skills are a necessity, for keeping laboratory and field records, using remote sensing equipment, GPS and GIS technologies, smartphones, data collection by drones, etc.  Thus today's plant scientists, including foresters, need a well-rounded education that includes not only understanding the anatomical and cultural requirements of plants, interactions with animals, plus personnel and business management and technology training.

Another trend that will impact this policy is climate change, and how it is afflicting the natural world regarding the impact on plant species and their habitats, migrations and extinction, and pest and disease management. New resources developed to address these impacts may require new subscriptions and purchases.

B. Relationships with Other Resources

1. On campus branch or format collections, if any

Special Collections: Historic international and national botanical works, botanical illustration, and forest species works

Turfgrass Information Center: Lawn and home landscape works, pollinators, and ecological works

2. Regional or network resources, if any

There are significant collections in the area of botanical sciences at both the University of Michigan Libraries and at Wayne State University, as well as other state and CIC institutions. Other strong collections in the region are at Ohio State University, Penn State, Purdue University, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin and University of Illinois. The MSU Libraries borrow very little in the botanical other land-grant established universities and botanical libraries. The State Library of Michigan holds a large collection of state-based botanical and ecological documents.

In 2012, the MSU Libraries became and institutional member of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries (CBHL).

C. Relationships to Resources Treated in Other Policy Statements

Animal Science: applied areas of plant science related to food animal agriculture, pastures and forages, beekeeping

Biological Science/Natural History: applied areas of plant science related to natural plant communities

Engineering: agricultural and biosystems engineering

Environmental Studies: natural resources management, sustainable programs, pesticide use and pollution

Digital Research Data

Geology: soil sciences

Turfgrass Information Center: applied areas of plant science related to lawns, home landscaping and turf

Veterinary Medicine: applied areas of plant science related to food animal agriculture