Collection Development Policy

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY 2.1

I. THE COMMUNITY

Knowledge of the community is a vital ingredient in the responsible selection of library materials. Each community is unique. Iola is in a rural and recreational area with a population, which encompasses a variety of interests, educational backgrounds and financial abilities. The Library recognizes that the community is diverse in its makeup and its needs and endeavors to meet the community's needs within the framework of available staff and funds.

II. OBJECTIVES

The Iola Village Library provides service to all individuals in the community; children, young adults, and adults. The objectives include the provision of books and other materials selected to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, emotional growth, pleasure, research and in the use of leisure time.

Though the Library attempts to give the best service possible to its regular users, it also has an obligation to collect materials and search for methods of service that will satisfy the needs of those in the community who have not traditionally been library users. The library must consider not only the present needs of the community, but must anticipate the future needs in order to give timely service.

The Library provides service to all within the contexts of library objectives, regardless of race, creeds, color, sex, handicap, age, occupational or financial position.

III. RESPONSIBILITY FOR MATERIAL SELECTION

Final responsibility for selection of materials rests with the Library director who operates within the framework of policies and objectives determined by the Library Board.

IV. CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

Basic to the Library's Selection Policy are the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement adopted by the Council of the American Library Association, which are appended. The following factors are considered in the selection process; however, an item need not meet all of the criteria in order to be acceptable.

General Criteria

A. Relevance to community interests and needs

B. Expressed public demand

C. Current usefulness or permanent value

D. Opinions of critics, reviews, staff members and public

E. Reputation and/or significance of author

F. Statement of challenge or original point of view

G. Relation to existing collection

H. Relative importance in comparison with other works on the subject

I. Quality in content, format and binding

J. Availability of materials in the subject areas

K. Budgetary and space considerations

L. Probability of interest to and use by the community

Specific Criteria for the Evaluation of Works of Imagination

A. Representation of important movement (literary or social), genre, trend, or national culture

B. Vitality and originality

C. Artistic presentation and experimentation

D. Sustained interest

E. Effective characterization

F. Authenticity of historical, regional or social setting

V. USE OF THE LIBRARY'S MATERIALS

Library materials are not marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of the contents. In the adult collections, library materials are not sequestered, except for the purpose of protecting them from injury or theft. Use of rare and scholarly items of great value is controlled to the extent required to preserve them from harm.

Responsibility for reading of minors rests with their parents and legal guardians. Selection of adult materials will not be limited by the possibility that material may inadvertently come into the possession of minors.

VI. SCOPE OF THE COLLECTION

The library does not generally purchase certain classes of books as a matter of policy. These include:

A. Expensive editions

B. Collectors items

C. Textbooks, or material for school assignments, unless of general public interest, or the best book on a particular subject

D. Specialized doctrinal works

The library does not buy private libraries or any items offered for sale by citizens clearing their attics, with the possible exception of local historical data unavailable through other channels.

VII. GIFT MATERIALS

Gift books, magazines and other materials may be accepted by the library. Their inclusion in the collection will be subject to the selection criteria used in purchasing new materials. In no case will the materials be added simply because they are gifts.

Gifts are accepted with the provision that they may be disposed of as best meets the needs of the library, through addition to the collection, gifts to other libraries in the area, or contributions to local charitable organizations. Physically obsolescent, completely outdated or inappropriate materials are made available for recycling or resale.

VIII. MAINTAINING THE COLLECTION

Materials may be repaired or rebound if their physical condition warrants; items that are obsolescent or not repairable are disposed of as indicated above (VII Gift Materials).

IX. WEEDING OF MATERIALS

In order to properly maintain the Library's collection, it becomes necessary to remove materials that are no longer relevant in that they become outdated or inaccurate with the passing of time and the acquisition of new knowledge. It may also become necessary as the Library adds more and more materials, to remove old materials that are no longer used by or of interest to the public.

When removing an item from the collection, the following are considered:

A. How long has the material remained in the library without being used?

B. Is the information found therein incorrect or misleading because of new information or discoveries?

C. Does the Library own more recent and more accurate material on the same subject?

D. Is there an historical significance that may make the materials valuable at present or in the future?

E. Is the work a standard in its particular field?

F. What is the general condition of the material?

In general, the library will follow the Crew Manual in weeding the collection.

X. DISPOSITION OF WEEDED MATERIAL

Materials will be disposed of at the discretion of the Library Director who will insure that it is done in such a manner that no for-profit organization or private individual will realize any financial gain.

XI. PROCEDRUE FOR REQUEST OF RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS

A. Patron completes reconsideration form that must be returned within 30 days

B. Patron receives a response to complaint within 30 days

C. Patron meets with Library Director

D. When necessary, Patron and Library Director will meet with Library Board

E. Library Board will make final decision of the material in question

XII. REVISION OF POLISY

The Iola Village Library Board of Trustees may revise this statement of policy