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 services 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 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 textbooks or professional and technically oriented resources except when such materials also serve the general public.

 

  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in good condition, well-used and which relates to the needs and interest of the library’s users, materials are withdrawn on a systematic and continual basis.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

 

Material donations are evaluated for inclusion into the collection according to the guidelines listed in the “Criteria for Selection.”  If a gift is added to the collection the library reserves the right to decide the conditions of display, access and withdrawal of the material.  The library also maintains the right to dispose of gifts if they are not acceptable for inclusion into the collection.  Magazines and magazine subscriptions will not be accepted for donation.

 

 

 

 

Approved

August 26, 2009