Develop collections

QUT Library provides access to high quality information resources to support learning, teaching and research.

In its approach to collection development, the Library seeks to reflect and include the diverse communities that make up QUT, in accordance with the university's commitment to equity and social justice.

If you have suggestions or comments, please contact us at library@qut.edu.au.

Guidelines

The QUT Library Collection Development Manual guides library information resource management at QUT Library. It outlines the current principles and practices that inform the selection, maintenance, access, assessment of return on investment, and deselection of information resources (electronic and print) across all branch libraries and made available via the QUT Library website.

Discovery and access

Access to the Library's information resource collections is primarily via the Library's website, but increasingly through integration with external searching engines and discovery platforms.

• The QUT Library web site
  • Print holdings and online subscriptions via Library Search (Primo VE/Alma). The Library Search integrates with LibKey services.
  • Direct search of databases and specialised search tools by study area, via LibGuides AZ database asset list.
  • Guides to how to find by resource type.
  • Guides to researching in particular study areas, via LibGuides.
• Browzine
• LibKey Nomad
• Google Scholar
• OpenAthens for database access.

The Library performs user experience research, voice of customer analysis as well as usage analytics to inform improvements and identify issues with Library collection discovery and access.

Special collections

QUT Library's special collections.

Digital collections

Since 2012, QUT Library has developed, launched and retired a number of digital collections. These collections came into being from a range of requests, from both within the University, and external donations, that didn't fit into our existing repository collections. This led to the decision to create QUT Digital Collections (PDF, 2.2MB).

QUT Digital Collections supports the curation and dissemination of digitised and born-digital collections of QUT's many predecessor institutions. Also, local heritage materials, and other selected donated images, material and items that are used in its various faculties for teaching and learning. All the items from QUT digital collections can be found via a Google search and are also indexed by Trove - National Library of Australia. Their downloads grow each month, from countries across the world.

Curating and exhibiting digital collections of learning objects, cultural and/or institutional heritage materials significantly increases the value proposition of the institution's investment in repository services.

It is important to remember that digital collections are not static and need to be constantly added to and maintained to validate their existence.