Collection Development Statement: Government Documents and Information

Many government publications housed in the Unit circulate to patrons with a valid Vanderbilt ID through the library's online circulation system. Government publications do not circulate to non-Vanderbilt-affiliated patrons because the Library has no way to insure that items will be returned so that other patrons may use them.

Some government publications normally do not circulate:

• Publications which fall under Central Library's Shared Holdings Agreement responsibilities
• Microforms and maps
• Reference publications
• Periodicals
• Statistical publications
• Serial Set
• Most Census materials
• Small pamphlets that can be copied
• Items in high use, particularly those being used by a class

Government publications that are in one of these categories may be circulated on an item by item basis with special permission of Unit staff.

Item records are created and items are barcoded by the Unit staff; items are checked out at the Circulation Desk.