Collection development Policy

The Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Library exists primarily to support the curriculum of St. John's University. Secondarily, the collection is a historical record of the insurance industry. A number of considerations shape our collection policy:

Since several libraries covering the life insurance industry in-depth exist elsewhere, the focus of this collection will continue to be the property/casualty market. We recognize, however, that a core life/health insurance collection will be required While avoiding constant jumping from one "hot topic" to another, the environment, weather (global warming and natural catastrophes)and the implications of economics on the world's health care policies--on both national and market levels--are strengths within the collection that will continue to be maintained

The library is supported by members of the Insurance Society of New York (ISNY), the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), the New York chapter of the CPCU, Greater New York Actuaries' Club, and the Association of Average Adjusters of the United States. All have a voice in the depth and breadth of the material collected and in deciding the lengths to which the staff will go to secure information located elsewhere.

Based on consultation with faculty, members, staff, and students, the library solicits and encourages active participation in the selection process. This is accomplished through regular meetings with interested faculty members and annual reviews of serial titles (including newspapers, journals, newsletters and loose-leaf services) prior to subscription renewals. Recommendations as to electronic databases to which our members seek access are welcome and encouraged.

The library seeks materials in a variety of media: print, audio, video and electronic. Primary consideration is given to insurance-related materials. Recognizing the importance of collecting economic statistics and general business and financial management texts that will aid in the analysis of the insurance industry and companies, worldwide, secondary consideration is given to materials covering these areas.

All reference materials (general, business and insurance industry-specific) receive the highest priority. Preference for newspaper, journal and newsletter subscriptions is given to those titles titles indexed and/or abstracted but not available in full-text on any of the electronic resources subscribed to the library, CD-Rom or online.

Given our large international student population, the library seeks works that explain the American government, politics and the democratic principles upon which this nation was founded, as well as the social structure and fabric of the country. Since attendees of the Center for International Insurance Studies are often first-time visitors to the States with limited time for sightseeing, we continue to purchase maps and tour guides of the region, pointing out landmarks, unusual architecture and other points of interest.

As one of the largest insurance libraries in the world, we recognize the importance of both collecting current materials and maintaining a historical record of the industry over time through established preservation techniques. The library actively seeks materials of historical interest and value in the area of insurance and encourages donations to its collection that will both broaden the scope of the collection and deepen the knowledge base of existing resources.

As a partial U.S. Government Depository, the library receives a wide ranging selection of government documents, primarily relating to insurance regulation and legislation (laws); insurance programs administered by the government, including flood and crop insurance, social security, unemployment, Medicare and Medicaid; vital health statistics (e.g., mortality and natality); statistics on accidents, catastrophes and safety; and a variety of materials on the general business climate. To assure a comprehensive yet focused collection of materials, an annual review of documents available through the depository program is conducted. An additional consideration in making our selection is the availability of each item within the region should we choose not to select it as a depository item.

In order to provide our constituency with the widest possible range of information related to the insurance industry and its supporting disciplines, the library is committed to working with other institutions in the industry, and academic and special libraries both within the US and abroad. Access to the rich and diverse library resources of the City allows us to concentrate our efforts on the insurance industry.

Our staff participates in international insurance information activities through active memberships in the International Federation for Information and Documentation's Banking, Finance and Insurance Special Interest Group and two divisions of the Special Libraries Association: Insurance & Employee Benefits Division and Business & Finance Division. Staff is encouraged to build relationships within library and information associations, write articles for newsletters and journals, and present papers at conferences.

This policy is reviewed at the close of each academic year and revised where appropriate in preparation for the beginning of the fall term.