COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY

 

 

PURPOSE OF THE POLICY

 

The Algonquin Area Public Library Collection Development Policy provides the library staff with guidelines for the management of the collection, while also informing the library’s users of the principles upon which the library makes decisions regarding the use and maintenance of the collection.

 

 

COLLECTION MANAGEMENT MISSION

 

The Algonquin Area Public Library strives to provide outstanding library service and to ensure that qualified personnel provide and maintain expertly selected resources to serve the needs of the community.

 

The library serves all community members regardless of age, background, political or

social views.  Material selectors maintain an unbiased perspective to guarantee that the

collection represents all significant viewpoints.

 

The Algonquin Area Public Library supports the Library Bill of Rights,  ALA Freedom to Read and the ALA Freedom to View statements, which are included as part of this policy.

 

 

RESPONSIBILITY FOR MATERIALS SELECTION

 

Material selection is shared among a trained and qualified staff.  The Board of Library Trustees shall review this policy at least biennially.

 

SELECTION OF MATERIAL

 

Library staff makes collection development decisions based on judgment and expertise,

with the guidance of professional journals and other selection tools.  Other factors

considered include popular demand, cost, format, and community needs and interest.

 

 

  A.  CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

 

Materials are selected in accordance with two or more of the following criteria:

 

  • Favorable Reviews
  • Artistic, literary, historic and/or scientific merit
  • Author’s reputation
  • Popular demand
  • Community Requests
  • Price and Availability
  • Format, durability and ease of use
  • Relevance
  • Historical Value
  • High standards of quality in content and format

 

  B.  LIMITATIONS

 

The library does not acquire school textbooks or professional and technically oriented resources.

 

  C.  FORMATS

 

The library maintains a flexible approach towards new material formats, in relation to new forms and styles of expression.  Materials in new formats are selected based on the “Criteria for Selection.”

 

 

COLLECTION MAINTENANCE

 

In order to maintain a collection that is current, reliable, in good condition, well-used and which relates to the needs and interest of the library’s users, materials are withdrawn on a systematic and continual basis.  Materials are withdrawn when they are dated, inaccurate, in poor condition, and on the basis of circulation statistics.

 

Withdrawn materials are given to the Friends of the Algonquin Area Public Library.  In some cases, discarded materials may also be offered to other libraries, educational institutions or non-profit groups.  Outdated materials with no remaining value are discarded.

 

GIFTS AND MEMORIALS

 

The library accepts donations of books and most other materials, but it does with the explicit understanding that such materials will be added to the collection only if they are needed and meet the selection criteria that apply to library purchases.  The library does not accept gift subscriptions to magazines or newspapers.  The library reserves the right to utilize gifts as it sees fit and to dispose of gifts which are unsuitable or unneeded in the collection.  Donations will not be returned to the donor.

 

When a cash gift is received for the purchase of materials or other resources, whether as a memorial or for any other purpose, the general nature or subject area of the item(s) to be purchased may be specified by the donor.  Selection of specific titles will be made in accordance with the needs and selection policy of the library.

 

 

 

RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS

 

Any Algonquin cardholder who questions material in the collection should be referred to the Head of Adult Services, Youth Services or Branch Manager.  The appropriate department head will discuss the issue with the patron.  If the matter is not resolved, the patron may be given a request for reconsideration form.

 When a formal request for reconsideration is made by a patron, this procedure is followed:

The requestor submits a completed Reconsideration Request form to a library staff member which is then forwarded to the Library Director.  The Library Director with the appropriate staff will review the item in question and make a decision regarding the retention of the material. The individual who submitted the form will be notified promptly of the decision.  If this individual is not satisfied with the decision of the Library Director, that person may appeal the decision in writing to the Library Board of Trustees.  The Board of Trustees will then review the matter and make a final decision.

Material and resources undergoing review in a formal request for reconsideration process will not be withdrawn from the collection pending resolution of the process.

 

 

Approved

November 16, 2011