Massachusetts Regional Library Systems Policy Collection
Collection Development
UPTON TOWN LIBRARY
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY
PURPOSE OF THE POLICY
The purpose of the Upton Town Library Collection Development Policy is to guide the Library staff and to inform the public about the principles upon which the Library's collection is built. The intent is to provide a basis for building and maintaining the Library's information resources in a manner that is both cost effective and relevant to library users.
RESPONSIBILITY AND CRITERIA FOR MATERIALS SELECTION
"Selection" refers to the decision that must be made either to add a given book or other material to the collection or to retain one already in the collection. Competent reviewing media and basic lists of standard works are consulted by the librarians as an aid in selection. The following factors influence the selection process:
THE COMMUNITY'S INTERESTS AND NEEDS: Recognizing that any community contains people with different backgrounds, sensibilities, personalities, interests, and needs, the Library must strive to provide materials that balance all elements. A conscious effort will be made to create an unbiased collection, thereby avoiding one set of religious, political, or moral values in the selection process.
THE MERITS OF EACH BOOK OR OTHER MATERIAL: Non-fiction will be selected on the basis of its timeliness, accuracy, authoritativeness, clarity, relation to the existing collection and its relevance to the needs of the community. Fiction works will be considered on the basis of the quality of the writing, significance of the author, popular appeal, and permanent values.
Materials are selected on the basis of the content as a whole, rather than focusing on isolated passages, and without regard to the personal history of the author. In no case is any book included or excluded merely because of the race, nationality, or the political or religious views of the author. In the case of controversial issues, variety, diversity, and balance of opinion are represented whenever available. Serious works, which present an honest aspect of life, are not necessarily excluded for frankness of expression.
CONSTRAINTS: Duplication of titles is determined by popularity and importance of the book. The materials budget, the existing collection, the limits of shelf space, and the availability of the work elsewhere are further limitations on the selection of materials. The Library seeks to draw upon the collection and resources of neighboring libraries, members of the C/W MARS network, and the Central Massachusetts Regional Library System to provide effective use of the budget, and to reduce unnecessary duplication of resources. CRITERIA FOR WITHDRAWAL
Frequency of circulation, community interests, and availability of newer and more valid materials are of prime consideration. Local history is an exception. Fiction, once popular but no longer in demand, is discarded, as are nonfiction materials which are determined to be no longer accurate or current.
GIFTS AND DONATIONS
Guidelines for gifts and donated materials that will be accepted for consideration are located in the appendix and are available at the library.
Upton Town Library Policy Manual Reprinted with the permission of
the Upton Town Library
The Upton Town Library exists to provide total library service for the entire Upton community chiefly through the development and effective use of a collection of books and other materials specifically selected to satisfy the informational, recreational, educational, and cultural needs of the Upton community. As a basis of this policy, the Board endorses The Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association and the Association for American Publishers, and The Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association. Both these documents are located in the Appendix of this policy manual.
Ultimate responsibility for materials selection policy lies with the Board. The Board delegates to the Director of the Library the selection of library materials and the development of the collection. Professional staff members aid in this selection process. The general public and non-professional staff members may recommend materials for consideration.
In order to facilitate a relevant collection of resources, the collection must be maintained by evaluating what has been obtained and withdrawing items no longer appropriate. The withdrawing of outdated or superceded materials is as crucial to the maintenance of a useful and viable collection as is the selection process.
Gifts and donations of materials accepted by the Upton Town Library are subject to the same process as purchased materials. They are considered with the explicit understanding that such factors as duplication, merit, lack of community interest, processing costs, physical condition of the materials, or inadequate shelf space may prevent their addition to the collection or permanent retention on the shelves. Gifts and donations are accepted with the understanding that the Library may, at any time, discard them or offer them for sale through the Library Book Sale program.
Fall 1998
To Mass. Regional Library Systems Policy Collection Index
Provided by the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems
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