At the Senate Library Committee meeting held on May 30, 2002, it was agreed to merge all funds spent on electronic resources by all faculties to form the Shared Electronic Resources Fund. The purpose of this fund is to ensure better monitoring of electronic resources expenditure in all subjects and disciplines and to allow greater flexibility for the purchase of electronic resources.

The Libraries now manages this Shared Electronic Resources Fund, and acquires electronic resources to support instruction and research. The Libraries' Collection Development Team makes cost-effective and appropriate purchase decisions balancing individual departmental and institutional needs.

At the May 2002 Senate Library Committee Meeting it was also agreed that an Advisory Committee to provide additional guidance on the use of the Shared Electronic Resources Fund be established.

The Shared Electronic Resources Fund Advisory Committee (SERFAC) members are Library Representatives of different disciplinary interests and the Collection Development Librarian. The chair will be the Collection Development Librarian.

The Committee will meet twice annually or as needed. It will serve in an advisory capacity to the Collection Development Team and Libraries Administration in the expenditure of the Shared Electronic Resources Fund used for the development of the Libraries' digital collections to reflect the priorities and needs of the University community.

The Committee will take into account:

The Committee will identify future funding needs concerning the development of the Libraries' digital collections.