Assignment: Create a Collection Development Concept Map
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Assignment: Write a Comprehensive Collection Development Policy.
Final Collection Development Policy
The Board of Trustees of the Midtown Public Library recognizes that American democracy functions only if the full range of human ideas is accessible. Proponents of all viewpoints must be able to fully and openly make their cases, however popular or unpopular they may be. This principal is embodied in the First Amendment of the Constitution, which protects the free expression of ideas, and in American public libraries, which provide access to those ideas.
A library collection is a marketplace of ideas that are contained in varied and diverse materials and resources on-site as well as off-site. The Midtown Public Library collection is designed to fulfill this ideal. Forms of expression that are unprotected by the First Amendment will not be included in the collection.
I. The Collection Development Policy will be guided by the mission statement and Service Directions of Midtown Public Library:
A. Mission Statement of Midtown Public Library
Our mission is to support lifelong learning of all members of our community and to meet their literacy, educational and leisure information needs.
B. Service Directions
1. Early Literacy: Create Young Readers
Programs and services for children from birth to age five will focus on exposure to collection resources designed to ensure that they will enter school ready to learn to read, write and listen.
2. Connect to the Online World: Public Internet Access
Residents will have high-speed access to the digital world with no unnecessary restriction or fees to ensure that everyone can take advantage of the ever growing resources and services available through the Internet.
3. Satisfy Curiosity: Lifelong Learning
Residents will have the resources they need to explore topics of personal interest and continue to learn throughout their lives.
4. Stimulate Imagination: Reading, viewing and listening for pleasure
Residents will have materials and programs that excite their imaginations and provide pleasurable reading, viewing and listening experiences.
5. Information Fluency: Understand How to Find, Evaluate and Use information
Residents will know when they need information to resolve an issue or answer questions and will have the skills to search for, locate, evaluate, and effectively use information to meet their needs.
II. Definitions
A. Selection refers to the decision to add, retain, or withdraw materials in the library’s collection.
B. Library Materials include all items in the library’s collection regardless of format.
C. Access is the availability of materials in a variety of formats for users of all ages and abilities.
III. Statement of Purpose
This collection development policy defines the standards and outlines the responsibility for materials selection for the Midtown Public Library. Within these guidelines, and within budgetary and space limitations, the library staff uses professional judgment to determine the materials that best meet the library’s mission and service directions, and defines the scope of the collection.
IV. Objectives in Materials Selection
The primary responsibility of the Midtown Public Library is to serve the citizens of Midtown by providing a broad choice of materials to meet their informational, educational, cultural and recreational needs. Materials are selected to aid individuals, groups, and organizations to attain practical solutions to daily challenges, and to improve the quality of life for all community members.
The library’s objective is to maintain a diverse, excellent quality collection of contemporary significance and permanent value, addressing social issues, as well as ephemeral items. Circulating materials are supplemented by a variety of materials for in-house use.
The library’s objective is to maintain a diverse, excellent quality collection of contemporary significance and permanent value, addressing social issues, as well as ephemeral items. Circulating materials are supplemented by a variety of materials for in-house use.
V. Responsibility for Selection
The Library Board has delegated to the Library Director the overall responsibility for collection development. This responsibility is shared with designated members of the staff. Suggestions for materials are always welcome and are given serious consideration.
VI. Assessment
A. The library will conduct community analysis studies every five years to receive as much up-to-date information as possible about the community.
B. Population segments of potential library users and their needs will be identified.
C. Based on the analysis of the gathered data, library materials will be assessed in relation to user needs, the existing collection, the library’s mission, local policies and consortial obligations.
VII. Criteria for Selection
A. The general criteria considered in selecting materials include:
1. Significance and permanent value to the existing collection.
2. Qualifications of author or producer.
3. Suitability of subject and style for intended audience.
4. Quality of format.
5. Currency or timeliness, if applicable.
6. Demand by patrons.
7. Price.
8. Attention given to the item by reviewers, and general news media.
9. Availability of materials in other libraries.
10. Technical quality of non-book materials.
B. The criteria will be applied to the work as a whole. No work shall be excluded because of specific passages or pieces taken out of context.
The needs of the community and the availability of funds are the guides to building a collection. Needs of the individual and needs of the community as a whole are considered in making selections. In keeping with the principles of the First Amendment, an effort is made to include all sides of issues.
Materials are shelved in the general fiction, nonfiction and AV sections. The library does not limit access to materials. Responsibility for choices and children rests with their parents or guardians. The adult collection will not be limited by the possibility that materials may fall into the hands of children.
The needs of the community and the availability of funds are the guides to building a collection. Needs of the individual and needs of the community as a whole are considered in making selections. In keeping with the principles of the First Amendment, an effort is made to include all sides of issues.
Materials are shelved in the general fiction, nonfiction and AV sections. The library does not limit access to materials. Responsibility for choices and children rests with their parents or guardians. The adult collection will not be limited by the possibility that materials may fall into the hands of children.
VIII. The Collection
A. Adult Services Fiction
The library's collection includes a wide variety of contemporary fiction representing all genres and classics of the past. The library makes every effort to acquire fiction which is representative of the culturally diverse community that it serves.
B. Young Adult Collection
The YA collection includes a variety of genres in popular fiction, Graphic Novels, non-fiction, and audio books that are of interest to readers in grades 7-12. The materials are selected with regard to the stages of emotional and intellectual maturity of young adults.
C. Adult Services Non-Fiction
The library strives to acquire materials which provide a core of basic knowledge. In addition, the library selects, makes accessible, and promotes the use of materials which meet at least one of the following criteria:
1. address contemporary issues.
2. provide self-help information.
3. facilitate continuing education.
4. enhance job-related knowledge and skills.
5. increase knowledge of the community, the country, and the world.
6. support undergraduate course work.
7. support community business, cultural, recreational and civic interests.
8. nourish intellectual, aesthetic, creative and spiritual growth.
9. present different viewpoints on issues.
D. Large Type
The large type book collection meets the needs of an increasing number of visually impaired patrons. The major thrust of the collection is popular fiction, including mysteries and westerns, along with high interest non-fiction, such as biographies and health-related materials. A select number of serial publications are also purchased in large type.
E. Business Directories
The business directory collection includes national company, industry and trade directories. State and local directories are acquired for Illinois and the Northern Illinois region. Selected international directories are also selected. The collection is geared toward the local economy in Northern Illinois; including light manufacturing, import-export, and financial services.
F. Children's Collection
To encourage life-long reading habits, the children's collection provides materials in a variety of formats to satisfy and stimulate the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the children of Midtown from infancy through grade eight. The materials are selected with regard to the stages of emotional and intellectual maturity of children. The collection also provides adults with materials that relate to the well-being of children, enrich preschool and school curriculums, and aid in the study of children's literature.
G. Electronic Databases
Online computerized databases extend the collection by providing timely and versatile access to information in electronic format. Many of the databases contain specialized information beyond the scope of the library's print collections; others have information that does not exist in print format. Some databases duplicate print sources which are carefully evaluated for retention with consideration to cost, frequency of use, and ease of access to library users.
H. Foreign Language Materials
The library maintains a collection of foreign language materials aimed at meeting the recreational and many of the informational needs of the local community. Resources include books, magazines, newspapers, videos and sound recordings in Spanish and Polish.
The library's collection also includes materials which aid in learning a second language. These resources include books such as grammars and dictionaries, audio cassettes, and videos for learning the languages most frequently studied in the community. Most of these materials circulate.
I. Genealogy Collection
The genealogy collection is a self-service reference collection, aimed at users in the initial stages of researching family history. More extensive collections and resources are available at the Family History Center of the local LDS Church. The collection, consisting of books, periodicals, and some census microfilm, has primarily been developed through donations, with ongoing contributions by the local Historical Society and the county Genealogical Society. The library purchases basic how-to-do-it resources, standard reference items and indices, and handbooks on family research for various ethnic groups. Other materials, such as family histories and regional guides, are acquired as gifts.
J. Government Documents
The library collects federal and state government publications to make information published by the government accessible to citizens. As an adjunct entity of the City, the library also maintains city and county planning reports, maps and other local municipal resources in this collection. In support of local government projects some of this collection includes resources for public review.
K. Internet (Public Access)
In conjunction with its mission statement, the Midtown Public Library provides access to a vast array of information available through electronic media. Electronic information, services, and networks provided directly or indirectly by the library will be readily, equally, and equitably accessible to all library users. Providing access to electronic information, services, and networks differs from selecting and purchasing material for the library's collection, offering unprecedented opportunities to expand the scope of information available to all users.
L. Maps
The reference map collection includes Atlases of the world, the United States, Illinois, and major cities. A small number of road maps of the local area are also included.
M. Audio Visual Media
A broad and varied music collection recorded on CD and a collection of Feature Films and Television programs on DVD are maintained. A retiring collection of feature films on VHS tape is slowly being replaced by DVD selections, as budgets allow and as the needs arise from the withdrawal of damaged VHS materials.
N. Pamphlets
The library maintains a few pamphlets on select topics to augment reference service. The pamphlets provide information on topics of current interest and are also used to quickly locate difficult-to-find information on frequently requested topics. In particular, this collection emphasizes job search skills development and resources, county aid services, and a number of local service and recreational businesses.
O. Paperbacks
The library maintains a paperback collection for free exchange at the local commuter train depot. This collection is not cataloged or tracked for circulation. All of this collection consists of donated items.
IX. Maintenance of Collection
A. When new materials are received protective measures are taken to preserve the longevity of materials, such as protective covers to sustain physical characteristics and prevent damage from frequent handling.
B. Materials are examined frequently for wear and damage. When necessary and appropriate, materials will be repaired.
C. The library collection is organized and maintained to facilitate access. A continual weeding process takes place. Items are discarded if they are:
1. Outdated.
2. No longer circulate.
3. Unnecessary duplicate copies.
4. In irreparable physical condition.
X. Gifts
A. The Midtown Public Library accepts gifts (including publisher's gift copies) for the library's collection that fall within needed subject categories, as determined by the Library Director and the staff. Gift additions must meet the same selection criteria as purchased materials and are subject to the following limitations.
1. The library retains unconditional ownership of the gift.
2. The library makes the final decision on the use or other disposition of the gift.
3. The library reserves the right to decide the conditions of display, housing and access to the materials.
4. The library will accept for evaluation gift materials only in designated areas as listed below. All gifts must be in excellent condition.
a) Children’s Books.
b) Fiction and Non-fiction published in past two years.
c) Fiction by Classic Authors.
B. Monetary gifts to the collection are welcome and may be designated as memorials.
1. Donations of money designated for the periodicals and newspapers collections are accepted in lieu of actual subscriptions. These contributions offset the high cost of periodical subscriptions and maintain the continuity of subscriptions from year to year.
2. Donors of the funds may suggest subjects or titles to be acquired with their donation, but the library reserves the right of final decision.
C. The library will accept for evaluation gift materials in these additional areas, including rare, unique and gently used items. All gifts must be in good to excellent condition.
1. Local and State family history items for Genealogy, State and Local History areas.
2. Paperback books for the train depot free exchange.
3. The library does not evaluate materials for tax purposes.
XI. Concerns Regarding Materials
The Board of Trustees recognizes the right of individuals to question materials in the library collection. Individuals questioning materials in the library collection are free to discuss materials with appropriate members of the library staff. If not satisfied, the individual may state the problem in writing on the Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form, provided by the library. This form is returned to the Library Director. Appropriate staff members and the Library Director will review the material in question. It will be determined if the material under consideration meets the criteria of the Midtown Public Library Collection Development Policy and a written reply will be sent to the individual as soon as practical. If not satisfied at this level, an individual may submit a written request, addressed to the President of the Board of Trustees, that the Board also review the material and decisions made in regard to it.
All materials selected under this policy are considered constitutionally protected until such time as they are determined unprotected by judicial action in courts of competent jurisdiction and after all appeals have been exhausted.
XII. Revision of Collection Development Policy
As the community changes, the library will endeavor to reassess and adapt its collection to reflect new and differing areas of interest and concern. This Collection Development Policy will be reviewed every two years, as required by law, and may be revised as needed to guide changes in the collection.
