Timothy C Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library. Collection Development Policy

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1 Timothy C Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library Collection Development Policy 1. Mission Statement THE MISSION OF THE TIMOTHY C. HAUENSTEIN REYNOLDS TOWNSHIP LIBRARY IS TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE LIFELONG HABITS OF LEARNING, SELF-IMPROVEMENT, AND SELF- EXPRESSION ARE ENCOURAGED AND WHERE PATRONS CAN MEET THEIR EDUCATIONAL, INFORMATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL NEEDS. (adopted: 2002) Community Description The Timothy C Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library encompasses the village of Howard City, townships of Reynolds, Pierson and parts of Winfield and Maple Valley. The Library is an active member of Lakeland Library Cooperative and offers full borrowing privileges to patrons of other member libraries. Purpose/Goals of Selection A public library exists to offer a choice of format, viewpoints, and level of difficulty in comprehension. To accomplish this goal, the library provides a wide array of formats, such as; books, periodicals, newspapers, DVD s, blurays, books on CD, microfilm and public access to electronic resources. Materials for varying levels of education and differing social and religious customs are provided and are included on open shelves of the collection. The library pays close attention to professional, commercial, industrial, cultural, recreational, and civic enterprises of the community. TCH Reynolds Township Library Board and staff believe the right to read and access to information is an important part of the intellectual freedom that is basic to democracy, and has adopted the American Library s Association Library Bill of Rights (appendix A) statement as official library policy. 2. Collection Responsibilities Selection of all materials shall be the responsibility of the Library Director, who operates within the framework of policies determined by the Library Board. All library staff members and the public are encouraged to recommend items for consideration. Recommendations are evaluated based on the same criteria for selection as items purchased for the collection. 3. Selection Criteria Selection tools include, but are not limited to: Reviews in professional library journals or periodicals which specialize in a particular subject. 1

2 Review and sales information from online sources such as Amazon.com. Individual subject expertise of staff or community members Suggestions from TCHRTL patrons. Publisher s catalogs Standard bibliographies Selection criteria for all acquisitions include: Public demand and anticipated demand Relevance to the interest and needs of the community Attention of critics and reviewers, award winners, or inclusion in bibliographies Significance, timeliness, or availability of subject matter Relevance and suitability of physical format Representation of diverse points of view Clarity, accuracy, and logic of presentation Relevance to early literacy Responsive to school age and teen interest, and scholastic support and enrichment Literary merit and contribution to the field of knowledge Relationship to the existing collection Reputation or qualifications of the author, creator, or publisher Value of the resource in relation to its cost Suitability of subject and style for intended audience Availability of content through the internet, subscription databases, or other means Condition of material 4. Patron Recommendations Patrons may request items the library does not own. Each request is reviewed for inclusion in the collection or for loan through interlibrary loan. 5. Requests for Reconsideration TCH Reynolds Township Library selects materials using the established criteria and full consideration of the varying age groups and backgrounds of patrons. Requests for removal of items from the collection may be made using a formal procedure outlined in Appendix B (paper copy available at the circulation desk upon request) 6. Collection Management Philosophy of Collection Management The Library s collection is a living, changing entity. As items are added, others are reviewed for their ongoing value and sometimes withdrawn from the 2

3 collection. Great care is taken to retain or replace items that have enduring value to the community. Decisions are influenced by use, the capacity of the location, the percentage of holdings in a particular subject compared to the percentage of circulation from that area, median age of publication, completeness of sets or series, number of interlibrary loan requests and number of holds placed. Responsibility for Collection Management The Library Director has the responsibility with the aid of the library staff in the management of the collection based on the philosophy of the collection management mentioned above. Criteria for Weeding and Withdrawal Item withdrawal is an important aspect of collection development. When library materials lose the value for which they were originally selected, they should be withdrawn. The purpose of withdrawal policy is to insure the collection remains vital and useful by: a. Discarding and/or replacing items in poor physical condition b. Eliminating items with obsolete, misleading or outdated information c. Reducing the number of copies of titles whose relevance to the community has lessened. d. Materials that have been weeded from the library s collection may be donated to the Friends of the TCHRTL for used book sales or destroyed 7. Gifts/Donations Gifts of materials (used/new) which do not meet the Library s objectives and policies may be refused. Bookplates may be provided for gifts, and a letter for tax purposes may be sent to the donor. No other conditions may be imposed relating to any gift either before or after its acceptance by the Library. dopted: 3

4 Appendix A The Library Bill of Rights The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services. 1. Books and library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creations. 2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. 3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. 4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas. 5. A person s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views. 6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use. Adopted June 18, 1948 by the ALA Council; amended February 2, 1961, and January 23, 1980, inclusion of age reaffirmed January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council. Adopted: 4

5 Appendix B Timothy C Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Date: If you have found materials or library resources about which you have concerns, please complete this form to assure prompt, complete consideration by Library Staff. Materials for Consideration Author/Producer: Publisher: Title: Call # (If Any) Date/Edition: Type of Material: (Circle One) Book Magazine/Newspaper DVD/CD Audio/CD Did you read, view or listen to the entire work or a portion of the work? Please describe your concerns regarding this material: All Part What Specific pages/sections illustrate your concerns How did this material come to your attention (optional) CONTACT INFORMATION Your Name: Address: City Organization Represented: Telephone: Zip: Please send completed form to: Library Director, TCH Reynolds Township Library, PO Box 220, Howard City, MI

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