Content Strategy

The Library’s Content Strategy sets out our approach to the management and development of our content and collections.

Context

Our Content Strategy is set within the context of a rapidly changing external environment:

• Changes in scholarly communication, in particular the shift to an open publishing environment;  
• Demand for curation of digital content, and the shift from text-based materials to research datasets, computer models, and other digital outputs;
• Evolving models for publishing and delivery of content;
• Pressure on Library space and budgets due to growth in student and staff numbers;
• Changes in University teaching and research priorities and practice;
• Evolving student requirements for different types of content.

Principles

In developing and managing our content, we will:

• Teaching materials will be delivered digitally where available unless alternative formats are required for accessibility and pedagogical reasons.
• Participate in national collaborative initiatives to increase access to content for our users and to inform retention;
• Explore and exploit new and existing publishing and delivery models to ensure value for money and an efficient approach;
• Ensure discoverability of all our content through our own and external discovery tools, including investment in excellent metadata;
• Focus on the active curation and preservation of our content in line with collection policy;
• Ensure that our collections reflect the current teaching and research requirements of the University through close liaison with our user community;
• In support of our community and strategic goals, our preferred method is to provide content that is sustainably open and accessible for all.

Categorisation of Library Content

We have categorised our print and digital content into distinct collections, each with its own policy for management and development:

• Special Collections
• Legacy Collection
• Teaching and Research Collection
• University-generated content (SRO, research data, OERs)

Key policies

• Collection Development, Management and Withdrawal Policy
• Digital Preservation Policy
• Legacy Collection Policy
• Preservation Policy
• Reading List Policy
• Special Collections Development Policy
• Special Collections Orphan Works Policy

• University of Sussex Artworks Policy