FAOA e-resource management policy

Scope: policy statement on making freely available and open access electronic resources discoverable

Contact: Abby Wickes

Units: Electronic Resources & Serials Acquisitions

Date created: 11/08/2024

Date last reviewed: 11/08/2024

Policy statement

This Policy provides a framework for DUL Collections Services (CS) staff to make freely available and open access (FAOA) e-resources discoverable within the DUL collection. The goal of the policy is to make the process consistent and transparent for both CS staff and subject specialists. The scope of this policy is limited to online resources hosted by third parties; digital content locally hosted by DUL is out of scope.

The policy covers databases, ejournals, and ebooks. For all formats, requests for inclusion in the library’s discovery services must be sent to AskTech by the appropriate subject specialist. CS staff will then assess whether or not the resource can be made available through our various access points.

If possible, approved FAOA resources will be activated through the Ex Libris Alma Community Zone knowledgebase. Activating a resource from the Alma Community Zone allows its contents to be discoverable within Summon and the catalog. CS will also create locally maintained bibliographic records and records in the Database A-Z List for FAOA databases if they meet our local criteria.

Due to the large volume of extant FAOA ejournals and ebooks, CS cannot provide bibliographic records for them if they are not available in the Alma Community Zone.

Maintenance for FAOA resources will necessarily be reactive due to the large volume. As always, please submit an AskTech ticket for any broken links you encounter, FAOA or otherwise.

Exceptions to this policy may be made on a case-by-case basis for resources that are Duke-specific and/or core resources in the field.

Notes and use cases

Add updates below as the policy is applied and clarified through use.