Procedure overview
1 Purpose
To provide direction and guidance about how the Library collects, curates and enables access to content and resources that support the learning, teaching and Research Activities of the University whilst adhering to copyright and contractual obligations and supporting the principles of Open Access.
2 Scope
This Procedure applies to all users of Library content, including Students and University Members.
3 Procedure Overview
This Procedure outlines how the Library provides access to and manages content which supports the learning, teaching and Research Activities of the University.
This Procedure aligns with the:
- Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021: Standard 3.3 Learning Resources and Educational Support
- National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018: Standard 6 Student Support Services
4 Procedures
4.1 Content acquisition and management
The Library oversees the purchase and curation of content in accordance with the Procurement Policy. This allows Purchasing of resources in a manner that is cost-effective.
4.2 Content selection
When selecting content, the Library:
- facilitates equitable access to all Students and Employees wherever they study or research by preferring electronic and digital formats over physical formats
- responds to changes in Courses, Student numbers and research priorities, while balancing the differing costs of resources in various disciplines
- avoids unnecessary duplication of resources
- selects free and Open Access content to replace or supplement paid subscriptions and purchases when possible and appropriate
- uses evidence to identify and respond to the content needs of Students and Employees
- only accepts gifts and donations on the understanding that items not selected for the Library will be discarded
- collaborates with schools and colleges on Purchasing and providing access to resources required for learning and teaching purposes
- offers interlibrary loan and resource-sharing services to Students and Employees as an alternative to Purchasing, where appropriate.
4.3 Content curation
The Library curates and maintains access to University mandated repositories which manage the following activities whilst complying with copyright and contractual obligations:
- Preserve and make accessible the Research Output of the University. The Library supports the F.A.I.R. principles of making Research Outputs findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Further, the Library supports the CARE (Collective Benefit, Authority to control, Responsibility and Ethics) principles for Indigenous data governance. For further information on how the University supports the FAIR and CARE data principles, please refer to Research Data Management and Indigenous Data Governance Schedule.
- Store and make accessible Digital Learning Objects created for learning and teaching. Employees can contribute objects to the repository to enable sharing, discovery and reuse via learning management systems.
- Encourage the use of Open Access or Creative Commons Licensing to make Research Outputs and learning objects findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Objects and files contributed to the Library's repositories are published subject to copyright and the Intellectual Property Policy and subordinate Procedures.
4.4 Content evaluation and deselection
The Library regularly assesses its collections to ensure resources support the University's learning, teaching and Research Activities.
Deselection decisions are made based on evidence and consider utilisation, subject scope and coverage, accessibility, financial and physical space constraints.
5 References
Australasian Open Access Strategy Group (2018) What is Open Access?
Policy statement on F.A.I.R. access to Australia's Research Outputs. (2016)
Research Data Alliance International Indigenous Data Sovereignty Interest Group. (September 2019). CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance. The Global Indigenous Data Alliance.
6 Schedules
This procedure must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.
7 Procedure Information
| Accountable Officer | Provost |
| Responsible Officer | University Librarian and Director (Library Services) |
| Policy Type | University Procedure |
| Policy Suite | |
| Subordinate Schedules | |
| Approved Date | 16/8/2024 |
| Effective Date | 16/8/2024 |
| Review Date | 16/8/2029 |
| Relevant Legislation | Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 |
| Policy Exceptions | |
| Related Policies | |
| Related Procedures | Commercialisation of Intellectual Property Procedure |
| Related forms, publications and websites | Global Indigenous Data Alliance: CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance CAUL Content Procurement Services Feedback, Complaints and Appeals Policy Statement on F.A.I.R. Access to Australia's Research Outputs Research Information Solutions Ecosystems (RISE) Library - Purchase Suggestion Form Open Access Australasia: What is Open Access? UniSQ - Understanding Copyright Research Data Management and Indigenous Data Governance Schedule |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| A discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single Study Period, in which the Student enrols, and on completion of which the Student is awarded a grade....moreA discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single Study Period, in which the Student enrols, and on completion of which the Student is awarded a grade. Creative Commons licences are a standardised way for individual creators, companies and institutions to share their work with others on flexible terms without infringing copyright. The licences allow users to reuse, remix and share the content legally....moreCreative Commons licences are a standardised way for individual creators, companies and institutions to share their work with others on flexible terms without infringing copyright. The licences allow users to reuse, remix and share the content legally. Any digital resource that can be reused to support learning....moreAny digital resource that can be reused to support learning. A person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University....moreA person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University. The expression of the set of knowledge, skills and the application of the knowledge and skills a person has acquired and is able to demonstrate as a result of learning....moreThe expression of the set of knowledge, skills and the application of the knowledge and skills a person has acquired and is able to demonstrate as a result of learning. The stage of a program specified for completion during the equivalent of a single Academic Year of Full-time Study....moreThe stage of a program specified for completion during the equivalent of a single Academic Year of Full-time Study. Open Access scholarly works are freely available via the Internet, permitting any person to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full text of these articles, crawl them for indexing, pass them as data to software, or use them for any lawful purpose, without financial, legal or technical barriers....moreOpen Access scholarly works are freely available via the Internet, permitting any person to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full text of these articles, crawl them for indexing, pass them as data to software, or use them for any lawful purpose, without financial, legal or technical barriers. An operational instruction that sets out the process to operationalise a Policy....moreAn operational instruction that sets out the process to operationalise a Policy. The method for acquiring the Goods and/or Services required. This can include credit cards, purchase orders and/or leasing arrangements....moreThe method for acquiring the Goods and/or Services required. This can include credit cards, purchase orders and/or leasing arrangements. Refers to activities that result in the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes....moreRefers to activities that result in the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it leads to new and creative outcomes. An output is an outcome of research and can take many forms. Research Outputs must meet the definition of Research....moreAn output is an outcome of research and can take many forms. Research Outputs must meet the definition of Research. A person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled....moreA person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled. The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland. Persons who include: Employees of the University whose conditions of employment are covered by the UniSQ Enterprise Agreement whether full time or fractional, continuing, fixed-term or casual, including senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University; members of the University Council and University Committees; visiti...morePersons who include: Employees of the University whose conditions of employment are covered by the UniSQ Enterprise Agreement whether full time or fractional, continuing, fixed-term or casual, including senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University; members of the University Council and University Committees; visiting, honorary and adjunct appointees; volunteers who contribute to University activities or who act on behalf of the University; and individuals who are granted access to University facilities or who are engaged in providing services to the University, such as contractors or consultants, where applicable. | |
| Definitions that relate to this procedure only | |
| Keywords | Collections, creative commons, open access, curation, ePrints, repositories, acquisition, copyright, donations, intellectual property, research, digital learning objects |
| Record No | 18/837PL |