Conspectus Collecting Levels

Conspectus uses a Collecting Level Indicator and Language Code to provide an overview, or summary, of
a library's Current Collecting Level and Collecting Goal.

COLLECTING LEVEL INDICATORS

Level 0 Out-of-Scope: The library does not collect materials in any format for this subject.

Level 1 Minimal information (very limited collection)

Level 1a Minimal information level with uneven coverage
Few selections and an uneven representation of a subject
Supports limited, specific service needs
Consistently maintained even though coverage is limited

Level 1b Minimal information level with focused coverage

Few selections, but a systematic representation of the subject
Includes basic authors, some core works and a spectrum of points of view
Consistently maintained

Level 2 Basic Information (Collections that introduce and define a subject; supports the needs
of general library users through the first two years of college instruction)
Level 2a Basic information level, introductory
Limited collections of introductory monographs and reference tools that include: basic
explanatory works, histories of the development of the topic, general works about the field and its
important , general encyclopedias, periodical indexes and statistical sources
Level 2b Basic information, advanced
Collections of general periodicals and a broader and more in-depth array of introductory
monographs and reference tools that include: basic explanatory works, histories of the
development of the topic, general works about the field and its important, a broader array of
general encyclopedias, periodical indexes, and statistical sources, periodicals. This collection is
sufficient to support the basic informational and recreational reading needs of an educated general
public or students through the first two years of college.

Level 3 Study or instructional support (provide information about a subject in a systematic

way, but at a level of less than research intensity and support the needs of general library users
through college and beginning graduate instruction) include:
Level 3a Basic study or instructional support level
Supports undergraduate courses as well as the independent needs of the lifelong learner
Level 3b Immediate study or instructional support level
This collection supports upper division undergraduate courses.
Level 3c Advanced study or instructional support level
This collection supports master's degree level programs as well as other specialized
inquiries.

Level 4 Research (Collections that contain the major published source materials required for
doctoral study and independent, high-level, original research)
A very extensive collection of general and specialized monographs and reference works
A very extensive collection of general and specialized periodicals
Extensive collections of appropriate materials in languages other than the primary language
of the country and collection
Extensive collections of the works of both well-known and lesser-known authors
Defined access to a very extensive collection of owned or remotely accessed electronic
resources, including bibliographic tools, texts, data sets, journals, etc.
Older material is retained and systematically preserved to serve the needs of historical
research.

Level 5 Comprehensive (Exhaustive and extensive collections in a specificallydefined field of

knowledge, in all applicable languages)
Exhaustive collections of published materials, with very extensive manuscript collections
Very extensive collections in all other pertinent format
Older material is retained and systematically preserved to serve the needs of historical
research.
A comprehensive level collection may serve as a national or international resource.
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LANGUAGE COVERAGE CODES

Language coverage codes give an indication of the representation of English and foreign language
materials within a subject. They allow a library to qualify and amplify the collection level indicators . The
codes used are:

E: Principally English language material; little or no material in other languages.

F: Principally English-language material, but with a selection of material in other languages.

W: Wide selection of materials in all applicable languages.

Y: Principally in one or more languages other than English from one linguistic or geographical area.

Current Collecting Level (CL)

Current collecting level or existing collection strength, includes material in all formats. It reflects those
materials that are cataloged and uncataloged, housed in special collections, and non-circulating as well as
circulating collections. An assessment of the current (or existing) collection provides a description of the
library's total resources at a prescribed point in time.

Acquisition commitment (AC)

Acquisition commitment, or current collecting intensity, describes the growth rate of the collection and
reflects the current level of activity at which the collection is being developed.

Goal Level (GL)

Goal level, or desired collecting intensity, designates a future, desirable collecting level to meet program
needs. These represent a library's aspirations and can be described in collection development policies and
collecting agreements.
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2. Basic Information Level: A collection of up-to-date general materials that serve to

introduce and define a subject and to indicate the varieties of information available
elsewhere. It may include dictionaries, encyclopedias, selected editions of important
works, historical surveys, bibliographies, handbooks, a few major periodicals, in the
minimum number that will serve the purpose. A basic information collection is not
sufficiently intensive to support any courses of independent study in the subject area
involved. For law collections, this includes selected monographs and loose-leaf titles in
American law and case reports and digests in foreign law.

3. Instructional Support Level: A collection that in a university is adequate to support

undergraduate and most graduate instruction, or sustained independent study; that is,
adequate to maintain knowledge of a subject required for limited or generalized purposes,
of less than research intensity. It includes a wide range of basic monographs, complete
collections of works of more important writers, selections from the works of secondary
writers, a selection of representative journals, and reference tools and fundamental
bibliographical apparatus pertaining to the subject. In American law collections, this
includes comprehensive trade publications and loose-leaf materials, and for foreign law,
periodicals and monographs.

4. Research Level: A collection that includes the major published source materials
required for dissertations and independent research, including materials containing
research reporting, new findings, scientific experimental results, and other information
useful to researchers. It is intended to include all important reference works and a wide
selection of specialized monographs, as well as a very extensive collection of journals and
major indexing and abstracting services in the field. Older material is retained for historical
research. Government documents are included in American and foreign law collections.

5. Comprehensive Level: A collection which, so far as is reasonably possible, includes all

significant works of recorded knowledge (publications, manuscripts, and other forms), in
all applicable languages, for a necessarily defined and limited field. This level of collecting
intensity is one that maintains a " special collection." The aim, if not achievement, is
exhaustiveness. Older material is retained for historical research. In law collections, this
includes manuscripts, dissertations, and material on non-legal aspects.
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ATTACHMENT A:

Conspectus definition of Collection Level Indicators

In the Conspectus system, each subject area in a library is analysed for its breadth and scope in terms of
standard descriptions of collection, and the appropriate collection level indicator is assigned. Where a
level is subdivided, libraries have the option to apply the level indicator at either the broad level (2) or the
subdivided level (2a, 2b) as indicated below.

The collection level indicators and descriptions are:

Level 0 - Out of scope

The library does not collect in this area.

Level 1 - Minimal

Few selections made beyond introductory/very basic material.

Level 1a - Minimal with uneven coverage

Few selections made; uneven representation of a subject.

Level 1b - Minimal with even coverage

Few selections made, but key authors, some core works, or a spectrum of views are
represented.

Level 2 - Basic information

Collection of up-to date materials which introduce and define a subject and indicate the variety of
information available elsewhere. The collection may include dictionaries, encyclopedias, appropriate
bibliographic databases, standard and significant works, handbooks, manuals, films, sound recordings and
a few popular or major serials.

The collection can support general enquiries, school and some undergraduate instruction and information
and a popular level, but is not sufficiently intensive to support advances undergraduate courses.

Level 2a - Basic information: introductory

Includes basic reference sources and explanatory works, such as textbooks; history of a subject, general
works on the subject; selective major periodicals.

The collection will support clients wishing to locate general information on a subject or students enrolled
in introductory level courses.

Level 2b Basic information: augmented

Includes basic information on a wider range of topics and with more depth. There is a broader selection of
basic explanatory works, historical descriptions, reference sources and periodicals which introduce and
define the subject.

The collection will support students in basic courses as well as supporting the basic information needs of
clients in public and special libraries.

Level 3 - Intermediate

Contains a broad range of resources adequate to support undergraduate and most graduate instruction,
sustained independent study, work based interests or specialised enquiries. Adequate to impart and
maintain knowledge of a subject at less than research intensity.
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The collection includes a wide range of basic works, fundamental reference works and bibliographical
works, significant number of classic retrospective materials, complete collections of works of more
important authors, selections from the works of secondary writers, selection of representative periodicals,
access to appropriate databases.

Level 3a - Intermediate: introductory

Provides resources adequate for imparting and maintaining knowledge about the primary topics of a
subject area. Includes a broad range of basic work, classic retrospective materials, all key journals on
primary topics, selected journals and seminal works on secondary topics, fundamental reference sources
and bibliographical works, and access to appropriate databases.

The collection will support undergraduate instruction, as well as most independent study and work-based
needs of the clientele of public and special libraries. It is not adequate to support postgraduate courses.

Level 3b - Intermediate: augmented

Provides resources adequate for imparting and maintaining knowledge bout the primary and secondary
topics of a subject area. Includes a significant number of seminal works and journals on the primary and
secondary topics in the field; a significant number of retrospective materials; a substantial collection of
works by secondary figures; works that provide more in depth discussions of research, techniques and
evaluation; the fundamental reference sources and bibliographical works and access to appropriate
databases.

The collection is adequate to support all undergraduate and most graduate course work, as well as the
more advances and independent study and work based needs of the clients of public and special libraries.

Level 4 - Research

Contains both current and retrospective resources, with historical material retained. Will provide materials
in all appropriate formates and languages, including original material and ephemera; all important
reference works. a wide selection of specialised monographs, a very extensive collection of journals and
immediate access to bibliographies, abstracting and indexing services in the field. materials containing
research findings and non-bibliographic databases.

The collection supports postgraduate and independent research and includes all the major published
source materials required.

Level 5 - Comprehensive

Includes, as far as is reasonable possible, all significant works of recorded knowledge (publications,
manuscripts, other forms) in all applicable languages, for a necessarily defined and limited filed. This
level of collecting intensity is one that maintains a special collection; the aim, if not the achievement, is
exhaustiveness.
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