Library Content Guiding Principles

1. Purpose

1.1 These guiding principles set out York St John University's approach to the acquisition, management, and stewardship of library content.

1.2 They ensure that all related activity supports the University’s strategic priorities, including:

• Teaching, Learning and Student Experience
• Research and Innovation
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Financial Sustainability

1.3 The principles establish a transparent, ethical, and financially sustainable approach to library content that reflects the University's values of inclusion, social impact, and academic excellence across York and London campuses and for franchise partner students.

1.4 These principles are operationalised through the scope, position statement and framework set out below, along with supplementary guidance which is reviewed on an annual basis.

2. Scope

2.1 These principles apply to:

• All library-managed acquisitions of teaching, learning, and research materials in any format (digital, print, open, or licensed)
• All academic disciplines, Schools, and Research Institutes across York and London campuses
• All staff and students involved in recommending or requesting library materials
• All visitors and third-party users where access is licensed and permitted

2.2 The principles govern selection, purchase, licensing, subscription, preservation, promotion, donation, withdrawal, and partnership-based acquisitions.

3. Position Statement

3.1 Library content includes licensed, purchased, subscribed, open access, institutionally created and digitised resources in formats supporting teaching, learning, research and knowledge exchange.

3.2 Library and Learning Services acquires and manages both paywalled and open content to:

• Advance the University’s academic mission
• Meet user needs• Deliver value for money
• Enable research and knowledge exchange

3.3 Decisions are informed by evidence, collaboration, and equity, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, accessibility, and alignment with sector standards for financial and environmental sustainability and open research.

3.4 A library-funded or supported resource is defined as any resource that, once acquired or made available, is accessible to the entire University community, subject to licence permissions.

This includes purchased/licensed content and open access outputs.

3.5 Library-funded content is normally acquired where it supports broader institutional teaching, learning or research needs. Alternative access routes may be used where requests relate primarily to individual requirements.

3.6 Selected library-funded online resources may be made available to TNE franchise partner students, subject to licence conditions. This provision complements, and does not replace, local resource requirements.

4. Guiding Principles

4.1 Strategically Aligned

Acquisition activity aligns with institutional strategies and contributes to the University’s mission for social impact and academic excellence.

4.2 Digital-First and Accessibility-Focused

A digital-first approach guides acquisitions. Digital formats are prioritised where they are accessible, inclusive, pedagogically appropriate, and support equitable access to knowledge. Open access and openly licensed resources are actively embraced as part of the Library's commitment to reducing barriers to learning, teaching and research.

Decisions to acquire digital resources are further informed by accessibility, licence conditions, geographic restrictions, sustainability, and user needs.

Physical formats are acquired where they complement digital provision and meet identified teaching and learning needs.

4.3 Evidence-Based and Data-Informed

Acquisition decisions are informed by evidence relating to user need, institutional priorities, resource performance and relevant sector intelligence.

4.4 Financially Sustainable

All acquisitions must represent value for money and align with the Financial Sustainability Framework.

Expenditure is transparent, ethical, and environmentally responsible, with appropriate use of sector procurement routes and licensing agreements.

4.5 Equitable, Inclusive and Social Impact-Focused

Collection development is inclusive and ethical, addressing historical imbalances and representing diverse voices.

Acquisition decisions support decolonisation, global perspectives, and equitable access to knowledge. The Library supports academic freedom and access to a diverse range of lawful scholarly perspectives, recognising that access to content does not imply institutional endorsement of its views.

4.6 Collaborative and Integrated

The Library collaborates with:

• Academic Schools, Research Institutes, Professional Services, and students
• Franchise partners
• Publishers and content providers
• Sector organisations (e.g. Jisc, SCONUL, CLA, ERA, British Library)

This ensures alignment, effective communication, and appropriate access to resources.

4.7 Open Scholarship and Ethical Practice

The Library supports open research and FAIR data principles, enabling research and scholarly outputs created or supported by the University to be:

• Open, discoverable and able to maximise societal and scholarly impact.
• Accessible and reusable in support of research-led teaching, learning and future research.
• Managed in ways that support transparency, reproducibility and long-term stewardship.

The Library develops and promotes the University's open research infrastructure, including RaY and RaYDaR, and supports the implementation of the Open Access Policy, Open Data Policy, Rights Retention Policy and Responsible Metrics Statement.

The Library advocates for ethical and responsible scholarly communication, promoting equitable access to knowledge, responsible research assessment, and sustainable approaches to open scholarship.

The Library monitors and supports emerging approaches to open scholarship and open education, including the use of open educational resources where these align with institutional priorities and enhance access to learning.

4.8 Transparent and Accountable

Acquisition criteria, budget priorities, and decision-making processes are openly communicated to stakeholders.

4.9 Collection Stewardship and Environmental Sustainability

Collections are actively and responsibly managed across their lifecycle. Acquisition, preservation, stock management, and disposal activities prioritise data-led decision-making and environmental sustainability.

Environmental impact is considered alongside educational, research and financial value when making decisions about the acquisition, management and retention of library content.

4.10 Responsive and Agile

Acquisition practices remain adaptable to changing teaching, research, and technological needs, enabling responsiveness to emerging opportunities and risks.

The Library monitors emerging developments in scholarly communication, artificial intelligence and digital scholarship to ensure content provision remains relevant and effective.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

5.1 Head of Library and Learning Services

Responsible for:

• Overall ownership of the principles
• Ensuring alignment with legislation, regulation, and University strategy
• Approving related operational guidance

5.2 Executive Board

Responsible for:

• Strategic oversight within their remit
• Receiving reports and updates as required

5.3 Staff

All staff are responsible for:

• Applying the guiding principles in their work
• Supporting consistent implementation
• Escalating risks or issues where appropriate

5.4 Students

Students are responsible for:

• Engaging appropriately with library processes
• Complying with relevant requirements
• Seeking guidance where needed

6. Monitoring and Review

6.1 These principles are reviewed biennially, or earlier in response to strategic or sector changes.

6.2 Effectiveness is monitored through:

• Cost-per-use and usage analytics
• User satisfaction and accessibility compliance
• Student engagement and success indicators
• Diversity and inclusivity metrics
• Open research and sustainability indicators

6.3 Findings are reported annually to the Executive Board.

7. Related Policies and Documents

• University Strategy 2026
• Financial Sustainability Framework
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework
• Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Framework
• Research and Innovation Framework
• Open Research Policy
• Procurement Policy
• Freedom of Speech Code of Practice

8. Contact

Library and Learning Services

York St John University

Email: library@yorksj.ac.uk

Website: www.yorksj.ac.uk/library