Collection Development Policy

1.0 COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
1.1 Materials selection and de-selection
1.1.1 PURPOSE
The purpose of this collection development policy is to ensure that library materials and access to information meet the information and learning needs of the club’s members. The policy will assist in budgeting decisions and responsible use of funds, define the purposes for the collection; and establish limits and priorities on collection parameters.
A policy cannot replace the judgment of individual library professionals and paraprofessionals but only provides guidelines to assist them in choosing from the vast array of available materials. Professional judgment and expertise, based on understanding of user needs and knowledge of authors, publishers, trends, and information resources in all formats is an important element in collection development.
1.2 Basis for Policy
The Adam Mickiewicz Library’s collection development policy is designed to guide collection building that will provide resources consistent with the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle’s Mission Statement. Out of necessity it is also driven by available funding.
The principles contained in ALA’s Library Bill of Rights, Intellectual Freedom
Statement, and Freedom to View will be adhered to by the AMLDC. These statements are appended to this policy.
1.3 Community Served
Our primary service population are AMLDC members.
1.4 Selection of Library Materials
1.4.1 RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board is responsible for approving the collection development policy.
The Board delegates full responsibility for the selection of materials to the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle President. Under the authority of the Director, the AMLDC’s librarian selects and deselects library materials. High priority is given to requests from patrons and staff.
1.4.2 SELECTION CRITERIA
Library material selection takes place within the framework of a special library system. A set of criteria are identified below, against which all items, whether purchased or donated, are evaluated and which apply to all formats and collections.
The AMLDC collection includes material on a wide range of subject areas written or produced for the general public. Materials are selected to meet the needs of a diverse clientele, whose interests, views, and informational needs are varied. Not all items in the library will be of interest to, or suitable for, all library patrons. In selecting materials for the library collections, the following general criteria are used:
_ Appropriateness to library’s mission and service responses
_ Relationship to existing collection and other titles available
_ Availability elsewhere or more in keeping with other institutions’ roles
_ Availability to purchase or access
_ Requests by patrons, advisory groups, and staff
_ Suitability of format for user’s need and subject
_ Community interests and needs
_ Relevance to the experiences and contributions of diverse populations
_ Levels of funding and cost of item
_ Anticipated use
_ Physical quality of material
_ Value of resource in relation to its cost
_ Authority, accuracy and accessibility of presentation
_ Currency of information
_ Reputation of author, publisher or issuing body
_ Attention and response of critics, reviewers and general public
_ Subject matter and scope
_ Historical significance
_ Quality and style of writing
_ Inclusion of work in bibliographies, recommendation lists, indexes
1.5 Primary Collection
The AMLDC librarian has primary responsibility for the selection and maintenance of collections serving the population. This will include:
1.5.1 FICTION
AMLDC will acquire fiction material in a wide range of genres. Material is purchased in a variety of formats. Emphasis is on mainstream and genre fiction by Polish-American and Polish authors. Multiple copies are purchased to meet patron demand.
1.5.2 NONFICTION
The nonfiction collection emphasizes timely, accurate and useful informational materials to support general community interests. It emphasizes materials that are current and in high demand. Materials are selected to represent a continuum of opinions and viewpoints when available. Titles with sustaining value and those of current, accepted authority are part of the library collection. Material is purchased in a variety of formats.
1.5.3 REFERENCE
Reference materials are for in-house use. They provide quick, concise and up-to-date information. Included are indexes, encyclopedias, bibliographies, biographical resources, dictionaries, almanacs and directories.
1.5.4 THEATER
AMLDC emphasizes theater and has a sizeable collection of plays.
1.5.5 MUSIC
The Library collects Polish and Polish American music, performers, and composers.
1.6.1 ADDITIONAL CRITERIA
_ Age and interest, appropriate content, and presentation
_ Emphasis on quality, critically acclaimed materials as demonstrated by
awards, specialized bibliographies and/or reviews
_ Quality and aesthetics of illustrations to stimulate the imagination
1.7 Professional Collection
A small collection of specialized materials pertaining to the management and development of public libraries is kept for use primarily by library staff.
1.8 Maintenance & De-Selection Guidelines
_ De-selection is an essential element of collection development that ensures
the libraries’ materials are useful and accessible.
1.8.1 De-Selection
If there are multiple copies of materials or certain materials do not meet the standards stated above, they may be sold. The moneys made will go toward the selection of appropriate materials or library necessities.
1.9 Censorship and Reconsideration of Library Materials (see Administrative
Policy 4.9)
1.10 Donated Library Materials
The Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle reserves the right to accept or deny any donations. Donations must meet the same criteria as outlined above. The library must consider whether the value added to the library’s resources justifies the costs associated with the gifts.
1.10.1 Deed of Gift
Donor must fill out a Deed of Gift
The deed of gift is a formal, legal, agreement that transfers ownership of, and legal rights in, the materials to be donated. Executing a deed is in the best interests of both donor and repository. After discussion and review of the various elements of the deed, it is signed by both the donor or donor’s authorized agent, and an authorized representative of the repository. The signed deed of gift establishes and governs the legal relationship between donor and repository and the legal status of the materials
1.11 Recycling Possibilities
_ Goodwill
_AmVets
_Salvation Army
_Buffalo FreeCycle
1.12 Appendices
_ Library Bill of Rights
_ Intellectual Freedom Statement
_ Freedom to View