Collection Development Strategy

The Library welcomes purchase requests from students, faculty, and staff in support of the University’s mission. While all suggestions are considered, materials are selected based on academic quality, relevance to NYUAD programs, and budgetary considerations.

Rush-ordered print books and other physical materials typically require a minimum of two weeks to arrive shelf-ready. Delivery times depend on vendor shipping schedules and, therefore, cannot be guaranteed. Non-rush orders may take up to sixty days to arrive shelf-ready.

New subscription databases may be acquired in partnership with NYU colleagues in New York. Subscriptions typically involve a trial period, during which user feedback is collected, followed by a contractual agreement. This process generally requires several months.

To suggest a purchase, please contact your divisional Research Librarian or email nyuad-acquisitions-group@nyu.edu

The Library encourages faculty to submit their syllabi to syllabi-to-library-group@nyu.edu for review. Recommended readings will be purchased for the main collection.

To conserve space and ensure the efficient use of resources, the Library does not acquire duplicate print materials for the collection, except in special circumstances. Whenever possible, the Library gives preference to e-books with unlimited user access.

The Library acquires non-commercial films in streaming or physical formats, provided they meet the licensing requirements of the Avery Fisher Center for Music and Media.

The Library does not acquire textbooks, as their publishing and usage models differ fundamentally from those of research library collections. 

All required course textbooks must be reported to the NYUAD Bookstore at nyuad.bookstore@nyu.edu.

Required course readings (not textbooks) may be provided through e-books with unlimited user licenses. However, not all e-books in the Library’s collection are licensed for unlimited simultaneous users, and timely access for all students cannot be guaranteed. Please contact the Library at nyuad.library@nyu.edu with any questions regarding specific e-book licenses.

The Library does not collect test preparation or similar materials, as they quickly become obsolete and lose instructional value. Students seeking test preparation or career assistance are encouraged to contact the Career Development Center.

The Library accepts donations under the following conditions:

• The materials are not duplicated in the main collection.
• The materials are consistent with the Library’s Collection Development Strategy.
• The materials are in good physical condition and do not contain extensive highlighting or underlining.

Please send a list of titles to nyuad-acquisitions-group@nyu.edu for review. All titles will be evaluated in accordance with the Library’s Collection Development Strategy.

The Library does not accept unsolicited donations delivered via dropbox or mail.

Exceptions to this policy may be granted on a case-by-case basis when necessary to support the University’s mission.