Collection Development Manual > Libraries & Collections > Special Collections > Digital Resources Collection
Digital Resources Collection
Collection Policy
Multnomah County Library provides access to many digital and online resources, such as subscription databases, specially selected websites, networked CD-ROM's, and e-books.
Digital resources are selected according to the General Criteria for Selecting Material and the Reference Services policy, which emphasize accessibility, depth, usefulness, variety and intellectual freedom.
Access to digital resources depends on the particular resource. Some are available only in the Central Library building, while most are available remotely for patrons to use wherever Internet access is available.
Digital resources are evaluated by the same criteria that are applied to any potential addition to the library collection: timeliness, content, authority, scope, arrangement, ease of use and format. These resources are also evaluated for their accessibility, according to ADA Section 508 guidelines.
Digital resources may be removed from the library collection for the same reasons that books or other materials are weeded. They may be out-of-date, inaccurate or unnecessary. Digital resources have some unique criteria to consider as well, such as decreasing reliability, prohibitive cost or reliance on obsolete technology.
Visit the library Research website for MCL's collection of digital research tools.