Policies and Guidelines
Information on this page feeds to both the nsdl.org site and to the nsdlnetwork.org site. Some links may reflect a different brand and style (look and feel), depending on which site you are viewing.
With input received from NSDL projects, NSDL has completed updating of the NSDL Collection Policy, developed a new Collection Blueprint document to to aid future collection building, as well as checklists (rubrics) for: Metadata quality, Resource quality, Paradata, and Annotations, to aid collection builders in the development of high quality materials for contribution to NSDL.
NSDL policies cover the NSDL.org main portal and those portals and services directly under the aegis of NSDL. Other portals and services may have their own policies, which may differ. Users are urged to be aware of the relevant policies on the portals and services they use.
NSDL welcomes your comments and feedback on policies and guidelines. Please use the Contact Us form to provide feedback, entering "Policy feedback" in the subject line. Thanks!
Policies
- NSDL Collection Policy [.pdf] (Jan 1 2012)
This policy is a revised policy defining collection building practices and recommendations for NSDL. (Replaces the prior NSDL Collection Policy of February 2010). This policy should be referenced in conjunction with related quality rubrics listed below.
- NSDL Accessioning Board (NAB) - as stated in the Collection Policy: The NSDL Accessioning Board is responsible for approving collections for accessioning and deaccessioning. Per the NSDL Collection Development Policy, the board is comprised of up to five (5) representative members of the NSDL and STEM education community (including educators and science librarians) who do not have explicit conflict of interest in NSDL collection or collection review activities. Nominations for membership in the NAB are solicited through NSDL community engagement mechanisms. Final membership of the NAB is confirmed by the NSDL Pathways PIs. The NAB meets when necessary. Board members are expected to serve two year terms. Terms of individual board members will alternate in order to provide continuity. Board members should demonstrate interest in review of digital resources and collections and or be an experienced user of digital resources and collections, especially in educational settings.
* Richard H. Audet, Ed.D: STEM Education Consultant, STEM Solutions, Inc.
* Elizabeth Brown, Librarian: Binghamton University Libraries
* Suzanne Larsen: Librarian: University of Colorado
* Jo Ellen Misakian: Director, Educational Technology / Designated Subjects / Teacher Librarian; Fresno Pacific University
* Luti Salisbury; Librarian, University of Arkansas Libraries; CHAIR
- Privacy Policy [.pdf] (Jan 2008)
This policy is undergoing revision and updating, as of January 2012. The linked policy is to the current 2008 version and covers the privacy practices of the NSDL.org portal and those portals and services directly under the authority of NSDL.
Guidelines, Rubrics, and Best Practices for Collection Building
- NSDL.org Metadata Guidelines
The metadata guidelines defines the categories of metadata used by NSDL in describing educational resources for the provision of digital library services and the administration of those resources. The policy defines the rights of collection holders and NSDL to the display and redistribution of metadata held by NSDL.