The Perkins Libraries purchase materials which support the teaching and research interests of Duke University.    As a general policy, the Perkins Libraries do not purchase undergraduate textbooks for the collection.   Graduate level materials may be added to the collection on a case by case basis if the materials support long term research or cover new, emerging research areas.  

Textbook Definition: “An edition of a book specifically intended for use of students who are enrolled in a course of study or preparing for an examination on a subject or in an academic discipline…sometimes published in conjunction with a workbook, lab manual, and/or teacher’s manual.” ODLIS —Online Dictionary for Library and Information science by Joan M. Reitz , Libraries Unlimited (Last updated November 19, 2007).

Textbook Characteristics:

• Includes study questions, problems, discussion topics at the end of individual chapters.
• May be published in subsequent editions.
• Designed to be used by students for courses of study – introductory, intermediate, advanced.

Exceptions:

• A faculty member may place his/her personal copy of a textbook on reserve.
• A faculty member may request a textbook which he/she has written be purchased by the Perkins Libraries and placed on reserve.
• A faculty member may request that a single copy of a textbook be purchased and placed on reserve.
• Subject librarians may determine that a textbook significantly supports Duke’s teaching/research interests.
• Gifts of textbooks will be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine their long term value for the Library’s overall collection.

Approved by Collections Council on: October 22, 2008