Certain primary and secondary factors are considered when making purchase recommendations, to ensure high quality Libraries collections. These factors will vary in their relevance to different subject areas.

• Primary Factors: Curriculum needs, including course offerings, course enrollment, new areas of emphasis, evolving subject fields and interdisciplinary interests; research needs; general needs; subject coverage; language; geographical coverage; chronological coverage; reading level; format; and pricing.

• Secondary Factors: Periodical or serial standing orders; added copy, volume or edition; binding--hard copy always preferred; enhancement of well-recognized collection strength; current versus retrospective publication;circulation rate in LC class areas; location; and materials needed to fill in gaps.