Michigan State University

Collection Development Policy Statement: International Documents

Levels of Collecting Intensity

Note: Since International Documents spans nearly all call numbers, this section is defined by International Organization.

The definitions of collection level intensities are as follows:

1= Minimal level. Few selections, but basic authors, some core works or a spectrum of ideological views are represented.

2= Basic information level. A selective collection of materials that serves to introduce and define a subject and to indicate the varieties of information available elsewhere. It may include reference books, appropriate bibliographic databases, selected editions of important works, historical surveys, handbooks, bibliographies, and a few major periodicals.

3= Study or Instructional support level. A collection that is adequate to impart and maintain knowledge about a subject in a systematic way, but at a level of less than research intensity. The collection includes a wide range of basic works in appropriate formats, a significant number of "classic" retrospective materials, complete collections of the works of more important writers, selections from secondary writers; a selection of representative journals, access to appropriate data files, and the reference tools and fundamental bibliographical apparatus pertaining to the subject.

3A= As above. This division of level 3 supports UNDERGRADUATE courses, as well as most independent study needs of the clientele of public and special libraries. It is not adequate to support master's degree programs.

3B= Advanced sub-division of level 3 provides resources adequate to master's degree programs as well as the more advanced independent needs of the patrons of public and special libraries.

4= Research level. A collection that includes the major materials required for dissertations and independent research, including materials containing research reporting, new findings, experimental results, etc. It includes all important reference works and a wide selection of specialized monographs, a very extensive collection of journals and the major indexing and abstracting services in the field. Pertinent foreign language materials are included. Older material is retained for historical research and actively preserved. This level collection supports doctoral and other original research.

5= Comprehensive level. A collection in which a library endeavors, so far as it is reasonably possible, to include all significant works of recorded knowledge in all applicable languages, for a necessarily defined and limited field. The aim is exhaustiveness.

Organization Name

Subject

Level

United Nations

General Assembly

5

 

Security Council

5

 

International Court of Justice

5

 

Trusteeship Council

5

 

Economic and Social Council

5

 

Secretariat

5

Specialized Agencies

 

 

ILO

International Labour Organization

3b

 

FAO

4

 

UNESCO

4

 

WHO

4 Collected by MED and DOC

 

World Bank Group

4

 

IMF

4

 

International Telecommunications Union

4

 

Universal Postal Union

3

 

World Meterological Org

3

 

World Intellectual Property Org

3b

 

International Fund for Agriculture and Development

 

 

United Nations Industrial Development Org.

 

UN Programs and Funds

 

 

UNCTAD

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

3b

UNDP

United Nations Development Programme

3b

UNHCR

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

4

 

UNICEF

4

WFP

World Food Programme

4

UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme

4

 

UN Habitat

4

UNRWA

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

4

UNU

United Nations University

5

OHCHR

Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights

5

 

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Institute

4

INSTRAW

International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women

4

 

 

 

Related Orgs.

 

 

 

International Atomic Energy Agency

3b

 

World Trade Organization

4

 

World Tourism Organization

3b

 

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

 

 

International Organization for Migration

4

Regional Orgs. UN-Related

 

 

 

Economic Commission for Africa

3b

 

Economic Commission for Europe

4

 

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

3b

 

Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

3b

 

Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

3b

Regional Orgs. Non-UN

 

 

 

European Union

5

 

Asian Development Bank

4

 

Organization of American States

4

 

NATO

4

 

OPEC

3

 

European Space Agency

3