Knowledge Base: Library Policies

 

SMOKY LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY

POLICY NUMBER:              411

SUBJECT:      Selection, Acquisition, Purchase and Disposition of Resources

Reviewed      ___November 21, 2011___      Board Chair      ______Tanya Lalonde____

Reviewed     ____June 19, 2019________     Board Chair    ______Lisa Boykiw_______

Reviewed    ____April 4, 2023_________    Board Chair     ______Lisa Boykiw

Collection development and assessment is an ongoing concern of public libraries. It arises from the formal and informal assessment of educational, informational, and recreational needs of the community. A collection development policy must meet the changing interests and concerns of the community.

Selection and Purchase

1. Library Manager is responsible for selection of materials while operating within the framework of policies set by the Board.

2. Materials are selected to meet the information and entertainment needs of the residents of the library’s service area, and to meet the goals of the library’s Plan of Service.
3. The Library Manager will use sources such as trade publications, reviews, requests by users, and other resources to develop the library collection.
4. Materials will be evaluated and selected according to the following criteria:

• Currency of information
• Popular demand
• Relevance to community needs and interests, as based on community awareness and the library’s Plan of Service.
• Popularity of format (e.g. DVD over VHS)
• Authority of the writer, editor and/or publisher
• Accuracy or artistic quality of the content
• Price and availability
• Space considerations
• Relationship to existing collection
• Canadian content, especially where such is critical, such as law, government or finance
• Enduring value
• Quality of construction (e.g. durable binding and paper)
• Availability of resource or similar material elsewhere (e.g. other libraries, online licensed databases)

An item need not meet all of the above criteria to be acceptable. 

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5. Materials will be purchased in cooperation with the local library system or directly from vendors (including local vendors)

Request for Reconsideration of Library Material

If an individual strongly objects to an item, he/she may complete a "Request for Reconsideration of Library Material" form and submit this form to the Library Manager for review by the Board.  Only requests for reconsideration submitted on this form will be considered by the Board.

1. Patron will complete a ‘Request for Reconsideration’ form.  Only written complaints will be dealt with.  The Library Manager will review the material with the patron, noting areas of concern.  The patron will be informed of the review procedure and when to expect a reply.
2. The material will be removed from the shelf until a review is conducted.
3. The Board and the Library Manager will meet to review the concerns and decide the future status of the material.
4. Library Manager will inform the patron by letter of library policy and of the review outcome.
5. If the concern cannot be satisfactorily dealt with through this process, assistance will be solicited from Northern Lights Library System consultants.

Gifts and Donations

The Library Board welcomes donations of materials to the Library.  Materials are gratefully accepted in accordance with the selection guidelines, unless designated for a specific purpose.

The Library Board reserves the right to accept, use or dispose of donations as it sees fit.

Inappropriate material (out of date, yellow with age, textbooks, and related references) may not be accepted, or may be returned to the donor.

Statement of Intellectual Freedom

The Smoky Lake Library Board recognizes its duties to uphold the ‘Statement of Intellectual Freedom’ as written in Appendix 103.2.

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Disposition and Weeding

Materials that no longer meet the stated objectives of the library (including those that have become damaged or obsolete) will be systematically withdrawn on a continual basis by the Library Manager.  Disposition and replacement of library materials so weeded will be at the discretion of the Library Manager.

Items that should be weeded include:

• Materials with poor appearance – badly bound or printed, worn out, outdated
• Unused materials – have not circulated for five or more years, or have not been used in the library for reference purposes, or are duplicates
• currency and accuracy of subject matter
• relevance to the needs and interests of the community

Equipment Replacement

The Smoky Lake Public Library Board and Library Manager will evaluate the need for replacing or upgrading computer equipment regularly.

Supplemental funds will be sought as necessary to address gaps in the need.