Beyond the Approval Plans and Usage Stats: Human-Centred Collections Management in Academic Program Development

Prepared by Siu Hong Yu

CAPAL 2026

June 23, 2026

New Programs Wanted

• Message from the Dean of Science:
• “Mitigating institutional budget cuts by focusing on enrollment growth through innovative programming”

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Academic Quality Enhancement Office

• https://uwaterloo.ca/academic-quality-enhancement/about-aque

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New Program Approval Process

• https://uwaterloo.ca/academic-quality-enhancement/new-programs

Statement of Interest

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Library Reports for New Academic Programs

• Quality assurance
• Books
• Journals
• Research databases
• Physical space
• Equipment
• Library instruction
• Research consultation
• Reference
• …

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Library Report Considerations

• Intended program size/student enrollment?
• Course-based/”professional degree” vs research/thesis-based?
• New courses vs repackaging of existing courses?
• New research areas?
• Experiential learning components (e.g., co-op)?

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Other Critical Issues

• Different subscription models (e.g., academic💰vs medical/clinical💰💰💰 licensing)?
• Librarians’ capacity and workload?
• Contingency plans for library collections and services?
• Cost sharing mechanisms?
• Silos at the Faculty and Department levels?

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Approval Process Limitation

• https://uwaterloo.ca/academic-quality-enhancement/new-programs

Library consultations NOT explicitly required.

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Reshaping the Approval Process

• Due process of library involvement during program development?
• Earlier and more consistent engagement?
• Leadership and guidance from AUL?

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Coordinator Responsibilities

• Act as the Libraries’ primary contact for the AQuE Office
• Act as a primary contact for academic departments developing new programs to facilitate Liaison Librarians’ related work
• Provide leadership and support for Liaison Librarians on AQuE activities
• Monitor changes and trends in academic programming to inform the Libraries’ strategic approaches
• Identify opportunities and coordinate efforts to improve library internal processes to support AQuE activities

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Preliminary Results

• More timely engagement on new program proposals with Faculty of Science
• Reviewing and updating the new program approval process with AQuE

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The End