Electronic Core Collection Criteria

CRITERIA FOR California State University (CSU)  ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES CORE COLLECTION (ECC)
(Revised 2021/2022 - November 15, 2022) 
 
    I. INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE 
The Electronic Core Collection (ECC) is a collection of system-wide supported electronic resources that are essential to the academic mission of the CSUs.  These resources support the common "Core" of CSU curricula, including baccalaureate and master's programs that are offered by at least two-thirds of the CSU campuses in the general categories of Arts and Humanities; Life and Physical Sciences; Social Sciences; and Professional Programs, or two-thirds of the CSU campuses have opted-in to an SDLC-negotiated resource.  Electronic resources designated as "Core" support broad, interdisciplinary research and teaching, high-enrollment programs, and general education requirements.  
This document's purpose is to help evaluate resources for inclusion in the ECC. 
The creation of the ECC is based on the following rationale and principles:
* Equitable access.
The ECC ensures that all CSU students, faculty, and staff can access a basic and indispensable group of electronic information resources for research, study, and teaching across a number of Core disciplines. This principle does not preclude any particular campus from offering more than these basic resources as their local conditions permit. 
* Support for core curricular programs.
Every student enrolled in and faculty member teaching a core curricular program of the CSU should reasonably expect an adequate level of research/instructional support for that program. Programs qualifying as "Core" under the criteria below should receive system-wide support in the provision of electronic information resources.
* Cost efficiency.
The ECC enhances the ability of the CSU to leverage cost-efficient access to electronic resources. Leveraging costs includes two factors: 1) Using the combined bargaining power of all CSU campuses to secure the best prices from database vendors, and 2) Presenting a united front when approaching the CSU administration to request centralized funding for ECC resources.

II. CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION IN THE ELECTRONIC CORE COLLECTION (ECC)
The primary criteria for the inclusion of resources in the ECC are: 
  * Supports the CSU Core Curricula
  * Sufficient interest among campuses  
  * Affordability for all campuses
  * Alignment to campus curricula and meets the curricular needs of all campuses
  * Benefits the greatest number of users across the campuses

III. FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE CSU ELECTRONIC CORE COLLECTION
To assure system-wide access, the CSU ECC will receive funding from the Chancellor's Office. The rationale for funding is outlined in Section I. Sufficient and stable funding to support the ECC is considered a priority by the libraries of the CSU.
In the event of insufficient central funds as reported by SDLC after the budget is approved by the State and Chancellor's Office, the CSU libraries will agree to adjust the scope of the Core.  Members of SRDC and other Collection Development library personnel will be informed of the proposed removal of resources.  Should no agreement be reached, the resource will be changed to an opt-in option.  
In addition, COLD shall advocate for additional funding on an annual basis.  The CSU libraries and COLD recognize that efficiencies can be realized through a greater number of statewide deals, but the ECC must be funded to withstand inflation and its base allocation must grow at the same rate as the rate of inflation, if not more, in order to remain sustainable.

APPENDIX: CSU CORE CURRICULA
Search Degrees at the CSU:
https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/degrees-certificates-credentials/Pages/search-degrees.aspx

Academic Master Plans:
https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/administration/academic-and-student-affairs/academic-programs-innovations-and-faculty-development/program-development/Pages/academic-master-plan.aspx