PurposeThis paper seeks to discuss the results of a 2010 survey of LIS selectors at ARL institutions/libraries that do not support an ALA‐accredited program to learn how and why LIS materials are collected at these institutions.Design/methodology/approachCollection development librarians completed a survey that asked them to describe their institution's selection policies, practices, and budgets for LIS materials, along with their roles as LIS selectors/subject specialists.FindingsLIS collections primarily support librarians and staff in their daily work and ongoing professional development. However, most libraries' LIS collections budgets are comparatively small, selectors receive few requests for new materials, and collecting parameters vary by institution, but are limited in terms of subject, publisher, and audience. The majority of LIS selectors are also responsible for collection development in multiple subject areas and most engage in work outside collection development.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to explore collection development of library and information science materials outside dedicated library school libraries.