Collection Development for Library Trustees Montana State Library

Collection Development for Library Trustees Montana State Library Training Broad Valleys Federation March 6, 2009

Collection Development Policy What is it and why do we need one? � A rationale for the acquisition of resources � Supports the library mission � Keeps all stakeholders on the same page: staff, community members, Board, funding bodies � Accountability tool Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 2

Collection Development Policy � Relates the collection to the overall goals, objectives, and mission of the library. � Identifies the scope of the collection, staff responsibilities, selection criteria, special policies, funding sources, external relationships � Based on an understanding of community demographics and community needs Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 3

Intellectual Freedom � Collection Development policy should state library’s position on Intellectual Freedom and procedures for dealing with complaints about materials � Policy may include ALA Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement � Policy should include a “Request for Reconsideration” form or a “Statement of Concern” form Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 4

Trustees’ role � Board and staff work together to create policy � Library staff may create policy for board to consider � Once approved, staff creates procedures to implement policy � Board may elect to take a larger role with stakeholders and hold public hearings on policy. � Policy must be maintained and periodically reviewed Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 5

Collection Goals � Driven by the library mission � Consider the needs of your community � Whom do you serve and what are their needs? ◦ Are those needs being met elsewhere in the community? � Don’t forget about non-users ◦ Do you need to include materials in other languages or formats? Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 6

Collection decisions � Who makes them? � Scope of collection described in policy ◦ ◦ ◦ Technical level of information Age of materials When to adopt new formats? Other languages Special Collections Multiple copies Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 7

Cooperative CD � Shared information or shared catalog � Resource sharing � Partnerships Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 8

Process of Collection Development � Materials selection � Acquisitions � Gifts � Collection assessment � Weeding (de-selection) Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 9

Criteria for Selection � Included in scope of policy � Favorable reviews � Recommendations from patrons � Community interest � Author reputation/popularity � Popularity of materials Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 10

More Selection Criteria � Collection balance – on controversial subjects � Cost of materials � Other criteria for specific subject matter � Subscriptions, leased materials, standing orders Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 11

Acquisitions � Use of Jobbers � Local Vendors � Standing Orders Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 12

Gifts � Policy should state how library will evaluate gifts for inclusion or disposal � Policy tells donors how materials will be handled Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 13

Assessment and Weeding � How will the collection be continuously evaluated? -by whom and how often? � Weeding can be controversial � Policy should state ◦ Why weeding is necessary ◦ Criteria for de-selection ◦ How weeded items are disposed of Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 14

Intellectual Freedom � The right of people to access and use information – First Amendment � “Something to Offend Everyone” ◦ Sexuality, religion, other objectionable content (drugs, violence, abortion, etc. ) � Library Bill of Rights & Freedom to Read Statement � The Internet brings material into the library that may be outside the stated scope of the collection Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 15

How challenges are handled � Policy describes the steps of the procedure � Policy identifies who is responsible for working with complainant � Everyone is treated with respect � Collection Development Policy is explained to complainant � Items are usually not removed in response to a complaint unless they are shown to be outside of the scope of the collection Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 16

Montana State Library Resources � MSL Collection Management Guidelines: http: //msl. mt. gov/For_Librarians/For_Public_Libr arians/standards/Collection. Management. Guidelin es. pdf � MSL Collection Development Standards: http: //msl. mt. gov/For_Librarians/For_Public_Libr arians/standards/collection. asp � MSL Collection Development Online Class – Policy: http: //msl. mt. gov/For_Librarians/Training/Onlin e_Classes/Collection_Development/policy. asp � MSL Cooperative Collection Management: http: //msl. mt. gov/For_Librarians/For_All_Libraria ns/Collection_Management/collectionpolicy. asp Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 17

ALA Professional Resources � � � Collection development: http: //www. ala. org/ala/professionalresource s/collectdev/collectiondev/index. cfm Acquisitions: http: //www. ala. org/ala/professionalresource s/collectdev/acquisitions/index. cfm Collection types: http: //www. ala. org/ala/professionalresource s/collectdev/acquisitions/index. cfm Collection Development for Trustees - MSL Training 18