Collection Development Policy:
Mission Statement:
The mission of the St. Marys Public Library is to be a leading resource for information, education, culture and recreation for the City of St. Marys and surrounding communities. The Board of Trustees and staff will work together to respond to the changing needs of library service. The library will provide access and guidance to books, videos, electronic resources and other media while maintaining quality materials and service. We will try to develop in our children the love and habit of reading and manage our financial resources in a responsible and prudent manner.
Objectives:
The purpose of the St. Marys Public Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.
Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs.
The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.
Public libraries are unique institutions charged with being unbiased repositories of recorded expression. The library will attempt to provide our patrons with diverse information and a wide range of ideas and viewpoints. The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by the St. Marys Public Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of the policy. Materials will not be removed that show evidence of meeting the criteria of this policy regardless of how controversial or unpopular that material may appear to special interest groups or individuals.
The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.
Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs.
The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.
Public libraries are unique institutions charged with being unbiased repositories of recorded expression. The library will attempt to provide our patrons with diverse information and a wide range of ideas and viewpoints. The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by the St. Marys Public Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of the policy. Materials will not be removed that show evidence of meeting the criteria of this policy regardless of how controversial or unpopular that material may appear to special interest groups or individuals.
The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.
Responsibility for Selection:
The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director and the collection development personnel who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the St. Marys Public Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff; however, because the director must be available to answer to the library board and the general public for actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.
Criteria for Selection:
The Library will attempt to represent all approaches to public issues of a controversial nature. The Library does not sanction particular beliefs or views, nor is the selection of any given item equivalent to an endorsement of the author's viewpoint. If a scarcity of information in a particular subject area exists, material in that area may be selected, even though it does not meet the usually applied standards.
The main points considered in the selection of materials are:
a. individual merit of each item
b. popular appeal/demand
c. suitability of material for the clientele
d. existing library holdings
e. budget
Reviews are a major source of information about new materials. The primary source(s) of reviews is (are) ALA Notable Books, Standard Catalog for Public Libraries, Fiction Catalog, Professional Journals: Booklist, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, etc. New York Times Book Review and other reliable sources both hard copy and online.
The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting a title that is in demand. Consideration is, therefore, given to requests from library patrons and books discussed on public media. Materials are judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.
The main points considered in the selection of materials are:
a. individual merit of each item
b. popular appeal/demand
c. suitability of material for the clientele
d. existing library holdings
e. budget
Reviews are a major source of information about new materials. The primary source(s) of reviews is (are) ALA Notable Books, Standard Catalog for Public Libraries, Fiction Catalog, Professional Journals: Booklist, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, etc. New York Times Book Review and other reliable sources both hard copy and online.
The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting a title that is in demand. Consideration is, therefore, given to requests from library patrons and books discussed on public media. Materials are judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.
Nonfiction Criteria:
The library acquires materials of both permanent and current interest in all subjects, based upon the merits of a work in relation to the needs, interests, and demands of the community. Each item is evaluated in its entirety and not on the basis of a particular section. While a single standard cannot be applied to each work, the following general criteria are to be considered when selecting materials for purchase: authoritativeness of the writer and reputation of the publisher; accuracy of information; impartiality of opinion, or clearly stated bias; timeliness of data; adequate breadth and depth of coverage; appropriateness and relevancy of subject to the library's users; popular demand; historical value; availability of similar material within the community and other area libraries; organization and style appropriate to the material and to the library's users; good quality illustrations; special features, such as bibliography and index; durable binding and paper; and cost.
Fiction Criteria:
Works of contemporary fiction, graphic novels, and classic works of enduring value are included in the collection. Fiction is selected according to the following criteria: popular demand; reputation of the author and publisher; appropriateness to the library's users; importance as a document of the times; relationship to the existing collection and to other titles and authors dealing with the same subject; interest and originality of the plot; interest and development of the characters; style of writing; literary merit; inclusion in standard library bibliographies; availability of similar material within the community and other area libraries; the physical qualities of the book; cost; and whether a title is part of an existing series.
Periodicals:
Periodicals are publications issued and received on a regular basis in print, microfilm, or electronic format. They form an important part of the Library's research collection and the periodicals collection is intended to complement the book collection. Periodicals are selected according to the following criteria: whether the periodical is indexed in one of the Library's indexing services; inclusion in or exclusion by standard indexing resources; cost; requests by library users, whether the periodical has local or regional interest; and whether a subject area needs to be expanded to help balance the collection.
Reference:
Reference materials, whether in print or computer-based formats, are those designed by the arrangement and treatment of their subject matter to be consulted for definite items of information rather than to be read consecutively. They can provide quick, concise, and current information or they may serve as an index to other materials in the collection. Since they are typically used daily by the public and Library staff to answer specific questions, books in the reference collection are designated for use within the Library. According to their primary use, these materials may be located in Adult Reference, the Computer Access Center, or Youth Reference sections.
Computer-Based Resources:
This category includes computer-based information resources available via the Internet or on a locally installed CD-ROM. In some instances, this material may be available to registered library users at remote locations via the Library's Web page. This collection includes, but is not limited to, citation or full-text databases and instructional multimedia programs. The following criteria should be considered when considering computer-based resources for the collection: compatibility with available equipment and/or existing operating systems; ease of use by library users, including enhanced searching capabilities; price of print format versus electronic; authority; accuracy; frequency of updating; anticipated demand by library users; impact upon staff for ongoing maintenance and updating of database; training requirements for staff and the public; remote access capability; and licensing fees and usage restrictions.
Videos:
It is not the Library's intention to duplicate the spectrum of feature films available in the private sector, but rather to provide a collection of materials that parallels most areas of the general collection.. The library video collection is not intended to supplement curriculum requirements of educational organizations within the community.
Recorded Books:
The Library's goal is to provide a collection of recorded instructional, educational, and quality literature that parallels most areas of the general collection
Recorded Music:
The following criteria will be taken into account when selecting compact discs: authority and competency of producer; artistic merit; technical quality; availability from vendors; and cost.
MATERIALS NOT COLLECTED
Due to finite resources, there are certain materials that the St. Marys Public Library does not collect:
A. Rare books: Since it is the public library's function to make materials available to all users, the St. Marys Public Library does not collect rare or unusual materials that require special handling. Rare publications pertaining to Tempe or Arizona history will be given to the Tempe Historical Museum or another appropriate institution for preservation and protection.
B. Genealogy materials: The Library collects basic materials on genealogical research but does not collect more specialized publications such as family histories, etc. The St. Marys Historical Society has a genealogical research collection and it would not be cost effective to duplicate this collection.
C. Textbooks: The Library does not buy textbooks used by the local schools, colleges or universities, as it is the responsibility of the libraries of those institutions. Textbooks will, however, be purchased in those subject areas where there is little or no material in any other format or in those instances where they substantially add to the collection.
A. Rare books: Since it is the public library's function to make materials available to all users, the St. Marys Public Library does not collect rare or unusual materials that require special handling. Rare publications pertaining to Tempe or Arizona history will be given to the Tempe Historical Museum or another appropriate institution for preservation and protection.
B. Genealogy materials: The Library collects basic materials on genealogical research but does not collect more specialized publications such as family histories, etc. The St. Marys Historical Society has a genealogical research collection and it would not be cost effective to duplicate this collection.
C. Textbooks: The Library does not buy textbooks used by the local schools, colleges or universities, as it is the responsibility of the libraries of those institutions. Textbooks will, however, be purchased in those subject areas where there is little or no material in any other format or in those instances where they substantially add to the collection.
MATERIAL FORMATS
Materials are purchased in the most appropriate format for library use. Although the majority of the Library's collection is offered in the traditional print format, valuable information is increasingly available in audio-visual and electronic formats.
New formats will be considered for the collection when industry reports, national survey results, and local requests indicate that a significant portion of the community has the necessary technology to make use of the new format. The following factors must be taken into consideration when deciding whether to add a new format to the collection: availability of items in the format; cost per item; and the Library's ability to acquire, process, and circulate the items in the specific format.
New formats will be considered for the collection when industry reports, national survey results, and local requests indicate that a significant portion of the community has the necessary technology to make use of the new format. The following factors must be taken into consideration when deciding whether to add a new format to the collection: availability of items in the format; cost per item; and the Library's ability to acquire, process, and circulate the items in the specific format.
Hardcover Books
Books are generally purchased in hardcover editions because of their durability.
Mass Market Paperbacks
This format includes paperback books that are smaller in size than the typical hardcover or trade paperback book. The paperback fiction collection will be primarily limited to those titles published only in mass-market paperback format. Non-fiction mass-market paperbacks will be bound and integrated into the hardcover collection when deemed necessary for collection development purposes.
Serials
Serials are publications issued in successive parts bearing numeric or chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely. This format includes periodicals, newspapers and annuals or continuations retained in the reference collections. They may include the following physical formats: print, microform, and computer-based.
Decisions as to retention of back issue periodicals and reference annuals or continuations are made on a title-by-title case. The following factors must be considered in any retention decision: cost; usage rates; shelf space required or computer system compatibility; availability of the title in another format such as microfilm or electronic format; and existing indexing in one of the Library's indexing services
The Library generally retains those periodicals that have long-term research value in print format for five years. If back-issues of a particular title are available in computer-based format, the Library may decide to retain print copies for a shorter period of time. Any periodical or newspaper that the Library determines should be retained for historic value may be retained in print format indefinitely.
Decisions as to retention of back issue periodicals and reference annuals or continuations are made on a title-by-title case. The following factors must be considered in any retention decision: cost; usage rates; shelf space required or computer system compatibility; availability of the title in another format such as microfilm or electronic format; and existing indexing in one of the Library's indexing services
The Library generally retains those periodicals that have long-term research value in print format for five years. If back-issues of a particular title are available in computer-based format, the Library may decide to retain print copies for a shorter period of time. Any periodical or newspaper that the Library determines should be retained for historic value may be retained in print format indefinitely.
Microforms
Microforms are used primarily for long-term storage and preservation of periodicals and newspapers. Specialized microform collections may be purchased to complement the library's indexes. Reference materials may also be acquired in this format if the storage requirements or cost of the print format would be prohibitive.
Video/Digital Videodisc
Videocassettes are selected in the VHS format. Special consideration is given to those titles available in closed caption format. Films may also be purchased in DVD format as they become available.
Audio Cassettes
The majority of recorded books are available in cassette format. Both abridged and unabridged titles are included in the Library's collection. This format also includes instructional recordings such as foreign language instruction and keyboarding practice exercises.
Compact Discs
Musical recordings are most readily available on compact disc. This format is distinguished by its durability and technical quality. Therefore, the Library will collect recorded music primarily in this format. As publishers migrate to the use of Compact Disc recorded books, the library will purchase audio books in this format.
Large Type Books
Books printed in larger than 16-point type are in demand by those persons in the community with visual impairments. The library attempts to provide a variety of titles in this format, particularly in fiction, and maintains several standing orders with large-print publishers for the purpose of maintaining and developing this collection. The large print format may also be considered for those books that are out of print in regular print formats
Computer-Based Resources
This format includes on-line databases available via the Internet and CD-ROM resources mounted on local computer servers. Citation databases provide references to sources of information rather than the actual text or information. Full-text databases include complete articles, documents, and any other resources that provide actual text and information.
Vertical File
This collection is comprised of pamphlets and newspaper clippings relating to the local area and the state of Pennsylvania. Other general interest information in pamphlet form is available for circulation also.
Local History Room
This collection is comprised of local newspaper and census information on microfilm and unique titles related to local and area history and works by local authors. Materials in this collection do not circulate. See the Materials not Selected section of this policy for more information.
COLLECTIONS FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS
Easy Picture Books
The Easy collection is comprised of picture books of interest to all ages. Because the illustrations are the predominant feature, they are generally designed for adults to read to children. Although most picture books are intended for the young child, there is a growing number of picture books that are specifically written and illustrated for the older child.
Beginning Readers
Beginning Readers are intended for kindergarten through early third-grade readers. They are characterized by a controlled vocabulary, large print, heavy use of illustrations, and a limited number of pages.
Juvenile Fiction
This collection serves students from late third-grade through sixth-grade. The
books feature age-appropriate vocabulary and subject matter, a limited number of
pages and very few illustrations.
Juvenile Non-fiction
The Juvenile non-fiction collection includes materials to serve the information needs of preschoolers, elementary-age, and middle school students. The subject matter, vocabulary, organization and scope must be age-appropriate.
Middle School/Young Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction
The Middle School/Young Adult collection is comprised of popular fiction targeting students in the seventh through twelfth grades. Other determining factors for inclusion in this collection are: materials that are clearly reviewed and/or labeled as young adult, characters are of high school or college age, and the theme or subject matter is of interest to and intended for young adults. In addition to popular fiction, the Young Adult collection includes multiple copies of classic works of literature included in reading lists for college-bound students. Young Adult non-fiction is integrated within the Adult non-fiction collection.
Interlibrary Loan:
Because of limited budget and space, the library cannot provide all materials that are requested. Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of this library's collection.
In return for utilizing interlibrary loan to satisfy the needs of our patrons, the St. Marys Public Library agrees to lend its materials to other libraries through the same interlibrary loan network, and to make an effort to have its current holdings listed in a tool that is accessible by other libraries throughout the state.
In return for utilizing interlibrary loan to satisfy the needs of our patrons, the St. Marys Public Library agrees to lend its materials to other libraries through the same interlibrary loan network, and to make an effort to have its current holdings listed in a tool that is accessible by other libraries throughout the state.
Gifts and Donations:
The library accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if appropriate and needed. If they are not needed because of duplication, condition, or dated information the director can dispose of them as he/she sees fit. The same criteria of selection, which are applied to purchase materials, are applied to gifts. Memorial gifts of books or money are also accepted with suitable bookplates placed in the book. Specific memorial books can be ordered for the library on request of a patron if the request meets the criteria established by the Board. Gifts of, or for, specific titles will only be included as part of the collection after consultation with the library director. The director and collection development personnel will make book selection if no specific book is requested. The St. Marys Public Library encourages and appreciates gifts and donations. All gifts and donations are subject to the same weeding criteria applied to the rest of the collection. In addition, the library cannot be a depository for groups or collections of materials because of financial costs of handling and space restrictions.
By law, the library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated materials, though it can provide an acknowledgment of receipt of the items if requested by the donor.
All memorials and donated materials including those specifically deposited in the local history room are considered part of the library collection and will be maintained as outlined in this policy. However, it is recommended that materials donated specifically to the local history room contain a bookplate designating the donor and to whom the materials re to be returned.
Donations from private collections must have the approval of all family members.
By law, the library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated materials, though it can provide an acknowledgment of receipt of the items if requested by the donor.
All memorials and donated materials including those specifically deposited in the local history room are considered part of the library collection and will be maintained as outlined in this policy. However, it is recommended that materials donated specifically to the local history room contain a bookplate designating the donor and to whom the materials re to be returned.
Donations from private collections must have the approval of all family members.
Weeding:
An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual withdrawal and replacement process. Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions. This ongoing process of weeding is the responsibility of the library director and is authorized by the Board of Trustees. Withdrawn materials will be handled in a similar manner and under the same authority as donated materials.
Challenged Materials:
Although materials are carefully selected, there can arise differences of opinion regarding suitable materials. Patrons requesting that material be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection may complete a "Citizen's Request for Reconsideration of Library Material" form that is available in the library. The inquiry will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the St. Marys Public Library Board of Trustees.
Approved by the Board of Directors 2003
Approved by the Board of Directors 2003