Collections Overview

In accordance with professional best practices outlined by the American Library Association and the Association of College and Research Libraries, Syracuse University Libraries develop diverse, inclusive and accessible collections that support the University’s mission. We build collections that accelerate, enable and enrich teaching, learning, research and creative pursuits. Our collections are tools that enable student success, foster engaged scholarship and encourage active participation in the world through a variety of disciplinary, experiential and methodological lenses. Additionally, the collections provide faculty and instructors with robust opportunities to diversify the materials they select for their curricula. With these goals in mind, we curate a rich record of cultural and scholarly creations that represent and reflect diversity, differences and distinctions in:

• Audience
• Author identities
• Format
• Geographic locale
• Models of production and distribution
• Perspective
• Subject matter
• Timeframe or historical period

Effort is made to ensure representation of a multiplicity of life experiences, cultures and points of view, including a greater emphasis on those of historically oppressed, underrepresented and underserved groups. We welcome suggestions and feedback at colls@syr.edu from the University community.

We appreciate the generosity of those wishing to donate materials to the collections and gladly consider donations of the following materials:

• Gifts of books written by Syracuse University faculty, staff, students and alumni not currently held in the collection.
• Unique items in good condition of critical research and instructional interest to the University that are not commercially available and are not currently held in the collection.
• The Special Collections Research Center reviews donations of unique or rare books, manuscripts, personal papers, Syracuse University related materials and other archival materials of interest to the University and that enhance our special collections. Email the Special Collections Research Center to discuss.

Apart from the exceptions above, the Libraries are not able to accept donations of books and other materials. This aligns with our philosophy to prioritize digital content to enable global access to resources and materials. The Libraries' space constraints and the high costs associated with evaluating and processing donated materials are also factors.

To discuss possible gifts that meet these criteria, please contact Anne Rauh, Head of Collections and Research Services.

The Syracuse University Libraries are members of:

• NERL
• LYRASIS

And support the initiatives related to collections including:

• CLOCKSS
• COUNTER
• EAST
• HathiTrust
• HathiTrust Shared Print Program
• Knowledge Unlatched
• LOCKSS
• Portico
• SCOAP3
• TRAIL

We strive to license materials efficiently and consistently with University policies and procurement practices and professional best practices. Our licensing agreements align with Syracuse University Libraries' Licensing Principles.

Collection librarians schedule vendor visits on Thursday between 2pm and 4pm. Please email colls@syr.edu to schedule a visit. 

Collection Development

For sale opportunities, price quotes, campus visits, training material and marketing material, email colls@syr.edu.

Rachel Fox von Swearingen, Collection Development; 315-443-9779, rsfoxvon@syr.edu

Anne Rauh, Head of Collections; 315-443-9770, aerauh@syr.edu

Acquisitions and Cataloging

For invoices, IP range information, billing issues and FTE verification, email libacq@syr.edu

Robert Cleary, Head of Acquisitions and Cataloging, 315-443-2989, rmcleary@syr.edu

Kelley Lasher, Lead Librarian for Electronic Resources, 315-443-6179, kllasher@syr.edu

Jennifer Zuccaro, Lead Librarian for Acquisitions, 315-443-3562, jzuccaro@syr.edu

Program Management Center

For usage and login statistics information, email pmc@syr.edu

Peter Verheyen, Research and Emerging Issues Analyst, 315-443-9756, pdverhey@syr.edu

Billing Address

Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisitions and Cataloging Department
222 Waverly Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244