The UA Libraries are funded to support the research, teaching, and outreach needs of the campus at large. We operate on the principle that the resources we provide should be equally available to any UA user, typically through IP-access on campus and through NetID login for off-campus use. As a research library, we also prioritize the acquisition of content that's expected to have enduring scholarly value for our core users.
For over a decade, the UA Libraries have focused on acquiring content in a single format and copy. Our preferred format has been digital. Today, almost all of our journal subscriptions and the majority of new books are digital. This approach allows us to provide access to more content, provide our users with anytime/anywhere access to most books and journals, and helps us avoid building and managing costly off-site storage facilities.
We still acquire content in print rather than, or in addition to, a digital format when there's a significant need that outweighs the expanded access that a digital copy allows (including accessibility for the print disabled). You can also borrow print books through interlibrary loan. If the need is ongoing, you can request that we buy a print copy and add it to our collection.
We don't purchase or license information resources or cloud-based information services/software for campus that are available exclusively to a particular group (college, unit, discipline, etc.) or set of individuals. This includes things like:
We don't purchase print textbooks. However, through our Course Driven Acquisitions program (CDA), we buy ebooks that instructors have identified as required readings through the UA BookStores’ textbook adoption process, if
Up to 20% of required texts can often be acquired by the Libraries (potentially saving UA students hundreds of thousands of dollars a year), but this typically excludes traditional textbooks, since they and other consumables are developed for sale in the individual marketplace and aren't made available to libraries under the access and license terms that we require.
To be sure students benefit from the Course Driven Acquisitions program, instructors should submit their textbook adoptions on time to the UA BookStores each semester. Before adopting a textbook, instructors can Check for Ebook Availability with the library to see if a particular title would be freely available to students as an ebook. If an unlimited-user license isn’t available from publishers, the library can help instructors explore other free-to-use alternatives.
If you're unsure whether a text or resource you need for your research or teaching could be provided by the UA Libraries, contact your librarian.