Collection Development Policy:
(Adopted October 16, 2006)
Table of Contents
1. Moon Township Public Library Mission Statement
The Moon Township Public Library strives to provide free access to materials, services, and programs appropriate for all ages that meet the educational, informational, technical, and recreational needs of the entire community, thereby fostering the utilization of the library as a center for a lifetime of learning.
2. Collection Development Goals & Objectives
2.1 The goals of Moon Township Public Library regarding collection development are:
- To meet the information needs of the community
- To promote and increase the reading interests of the community
- To supplement formal study and encourage informal learning
- To provide access to a variety of opinions on matters of current interest
2.2 The following objectives have been adopted in order that Moon Township Public Library may meet the goals set forth in this policy:
- Serve the entire population of Moon Township by obtaining, organizing, and providing free access to accurate and up-to-date information in a variety of formats.
- Evaluate new items and formats as they become available and integrate them as demand warrants and budget allows.
3. General Principles Guiding Collection Development
3.1 Moon Township Public Library recognizes that the freedom to read and secure information via a variety of methods is essential in a democracy. As such, the library subscribes to both the American Library Association's (ALA) Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement. In addition, the ALA Code of Ethics which requires that there is fair representation of ideas and provision of information resources is followed.
3.2 Moon Township Public Library recognizes the confidentiality of patron records within the parameters of the current consortium software system and laws of the United States of America.
3.3 In order to meet these principles, the library must provide a wide range of materials and material formats for users of all ages, all educational levels, and all socioeconomic backgrounds. The collection is defined as groups of materials which meet these needs in formats which include printed materials, visual and audio materials as well as information that is made available through the Allegheny County Library Association consortium that is delivered through the Internet.
3.4 As a member of the Allegheny County Library Association, Moon Township Public Library subscribes to the principals and guidelines recommended in the County Wide Collection Management Statement.
4. Responsibility for Selection
The responsibility for the selection of materials is held by the library director and other individuals to whom the library director delegates that responsibility. The balance in kinds of materials provided is based on current budgetary principles as directed by the Moon Township Public Library Board of Trustees.
5. Selection
5.1 General Selection Guidelines
- 5.1.1 The Moon Township Public Library selects material for its collection in accordance with professionally accepted guidelines set forth by the American Library Association.
- 5.1.2 The library does not sanction particular beliefs or views.
- 5.1.3 Selection principles take into account inclusive not exclusive ideas, the rejection of passive censorship, diverse opinion, and tolerance of different points of view.
- 5.1.4 In the rare instance, the library may select material even though it does not meet the usually applied standards.
- 5.1.5 The selection of materials is governed by the library's objectives, the present and future needs of the community, its cooperation with other libraries in the county and the limitations of space and budget.
5.2 Selection Tools
- 5.2.1 The library's professional staff members are expected to read current library and review journals in order to suggest materials for purchase. These may include, but are not limited to Library Journal, Booklist, School Library Journal, and Horn Book.
- 5.2.2 Librarians should also be aware of materials that are being reviewed in other sources such as newspapers, magazines, online sources, and broadcast media.
- 5.2.3 Librarians may also consider for purchase suggestions from other library staff members and patrons.
5.3 Non-Fiction Criteria
- The library acquires materials of both permanent and current interests in all subjects based upon the merits of the work in relation to the needs, interests, and demand of the community. While a single standard cannot be applied to each work, the following criteria are to be considered when selecting materials for purchase:
- Authoritativeness of the writer and publisher
- Accuracy of information
- Currency of data
- Relevancy of subject to the library’s users
- Popular demand
- Quality of illustrations
- Features such as bibliographies and indexes
- Historical significance
- Cost
- Publication date
5.4 Fiction Criteria
- The Library will aim to provide a variety of types of fiction in order to satisfy the variety of tastes, interests, educational backgrounds, and reading skills of our library users. Fiction is a form of imaginative literature therefore there is no single standard by which to judge fiction. For selection of fiction materials, the following criteria will be considered:
- Popular demand
- Reputation of author and publisher
- Appropriateness to the library’s users
- Relationship to the existing collection
- Literary merit and style of writing
- Inclusion in standard library bibliographies
- Cost
- Part of existing series
5.5 Periodicals Criteria
- Periodicals are publications that are published and received on a regular basis. The library does not subscribe to highly specialized or professional periodicals other than those in the library science field. With the availability of online full-text magazine articles for the purposes of research, the periodical collection no longer requires extensive back collections and may be seen as a browsing collection, rather than a research collection. Periodicals are selected according to the following criteria:
- Request by patrons
- Local or regional interest
- Possible duplication in online magazine indexes
5.6 Reference Criteria
- The selection of reference materials is based on the library patrons' information needs for quick, concise, current, or historical information. Because the materials in the reference area are used by library staff and patrons to answer specific questions on a daily basis, these items are used only in the library. The following criteria are used when selecting items for the reference collection:
- Usefulness of the publication with regard to the existing collection and the needs of the library community
- Reputation of author/publisher
- Currency of topic
- Publication date
- Individual cost, as well as possible future costs for maintaining ongoing publications
5.7 Audiovisual Criteria
- 5.7.1 Recorded Books - The library's audiobook collection will include recorded instructional, educational, and quality literature that parallels most areas of the general collection. Both abridged and unabridged selections will be purchased. The following criteria will be considered:
- Technical quality
- Popular demand
- Cost
- 5.7.2 Recorded Music - The library's goal is to provide a collection of music that reflects the interests of the library's users, is historically significant, and of enduring popularity. Selections will include, but will not be limited to, instrumental and vocal recordings in the following genres: classical, jazz, world, opera, pop, folk, show tunes, movie soundtracks, and recordings of local interest. The following criteria will be considered:
- Artistic merit
- Popular demand
- Technical quality
- Cost
- 5.7.3 Video Materials - The library will strive to provide a collection of entertaining, instructional, educational, and literature-based videos that will enhance and supplement the library's existing collection of fiction and non-fiction items. Feature films selections will be limited to those videos that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant and will be added as demand and funds permit.
- It is not the library's intention to duplicate the full spectrum of entertainment videos available in the private sector, but rather to provide quality films of educational or entertainment value.
- The library's video collection is not intended to supplement curriculum requirements of educational organizations within the community. The following selection criteria will be considered:
- Positive reviews in standard library review sources
- Technical quality
- Appropriateness of the subject to the collection
- Authority of the producer
- Artistic merit and reputation of the performers
- Availability of public performance rights
- The need for non-fiction and documentaries to present accurate and current information
- Local interest
- Cost
5.8 Reserve Pool Items
- As a member of the Allegheny County Library Association the collection will be enhanced by items from the "reserve pool." The items may be books, DVDs, etc. Moon Township Public Library will abide by any and all agreements into which it enters concerning this portion of the collection.
6. Material Formats
6.1 Although the majority of the Library's collection is offered in the traditional print format, valuable information is also available in audiovisual and electronic formats. Materials will be selected and purchased in the format most appropriate for the library's use.
6.2 Hardcover Books - Because of their durability, books are usually purchased in hardcover editions.
6.3 Paperback Books - This format includes paperback books which are comparable in size to hard cover editions but which are typically lower in cost.
- 6.3.1 Trade - Trade paperbacks are preferred in cases where the hardcover edition is extremely expensive and the title would be either used infrequently or would be removed from the collection in a few years.
- 6.3.2 Mass Market - The paperback fiction collection will be primarily limited to those titles published in mass market paperback format.
6.4 Serials - Serials are publications issued in successive parts bearing numeric or chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely. This format includes newspapers, periodicals, and annuals or continuations in the reference collection. At Moon Township Public Library, they may include the following physical formats: print and electronic. Decisions as to retention of back issue periodicals and reference annuals or continuations are made on a title by title basis. The following factors will be considered in any retention decision:
- Cost
- Shelf space
- Usage rate
- Availability in another format such as electronic format
- 6.4.1 Any periodical or newspaper that the library determines should be retained for historic or research value may be retained indefinitely in print format.
6.5 Large Print Books - Books printed in larger than 16-point type are in demand by library patrons with visual impairments. The library attempts to provide a variety of titles in this format, with an emphasis on works of fiction.
6.6 Videos - Videos are selected in the DVD and VHS format.
6.7 Audio - Recorded books will be available in CD and cassette format, and will include both abridged and unabridged titles. Musical recordings are most readily available on compact disc. Therefore, the library will collect recorded music in CD format.
6.8 Electronic - The electronic format includes online databases and CD-ROM resources. At this time, the library only provides access to the online databases available through the eiNetwork. CD-ROMs will not be purchased individually, but if they come with a book, they will be added to the collection and circulated with the print items they are intended to go with.
7. Collections for Different Age Groups
7.1 Easy Picture Books - The Easy collection is comprised of picture books of interest to all ages. Because the illustrations are the predominant feature, they are generally designed for adults to read to children. Although most picture books are intended for young children, there is an increasing number of picture books that are specifically written and illustrated for older children.
7.2 Easy Readers - Easy Readers are intended for kindergarten through third grade readers. A controlled vocabulary, larger print, heavy use of illustrations, and a limited number of pages characterize easy readers.
7.3 Juvenile
- 7.3.1 Fiction - This collection serves students from approximately third grade through sixth grade and includes age appropriate vocabulary and subject matters.
- 7.3.2 Non-fiction - This collection serves to meet the informational needs of preschoolers, elementary-age, and middle school students. The subject matter, vocabulary, organization, and scope must be age appropriate.
7.4 Teen Collection - The primary audience for the teen collection is students in grades six through twelve. The Library's teen collection emphasizes popular fiction and limited non-fiction topics of interest to teens. The collection also includes graphic novels, teen magazines, and audio materials. Emphasis is on material that widens the scope of adolescent's thinking, enriches his/her life, and helps fulfill recreational or emotional needs.
- 7.4.1 Selection - Materials for this collection are purchased based on the criteria outlined in the Selection Tools section of this policy. In addition, the teen librarian may use review sources that are geared specifically toward teen materials, including, but not limited to Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), TeenReads.com, and School Library Journal.
- 7.4.2 Responsibility for Reading Suitability - Because of the wide range of maturity and reading levels among individual teens, the suitability of any particular item for a teen must be determined on an individual basis by the parent/legal guardian of that teen. The library will not act "in loco parentis" by monitoring any items that a teen may check out of the library or read while in the library.
7.5 Adult Fiction and Non-fiction - The Adult collection includes fiction and non-fiction titles for adults of all ages, reading abilities, and interests.
8. Collection Maintenance and Replacement
8.1 De-selection
De-selection of library materials, or "weeding," is an integral part of maintaining a viable and useful collection. The library staff refers to the "CREW" method of de-selection (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) as well as the "WORST" (Worn out, Out of Date, Rarely used, System headquarters will supply, or Trivial and faddish) guidelines recommended by the ALA. Materials are withdrawn from the library's collection through systematic weeding or because of loss or physical damage. The following categories of materials should be considered for de-selection:
- Worn or mutilated items
- Duplicate copies of seldom used items
- Materials which contain outdated or inaccurate material
- Superseded editions of specific titles
- Materials no longer of interest or demand
8.2 Item Replacement
While the library tries to maintain copies of standard and important works, it does not automatically replace all materials withdrawn due to loss or damage. Decisions concerning the replacement of items are based on the following considerations:
- Demand for the specific item
- Number of copies held
- Existing coverage of the subject within the collection
- Currency of its contents
- Availability for re-order
- Cost of mending vs. cost of replacement
- Availability of item from other libraries
9. Responsibility for Individual Material Choices
9.1 Adults - The library will not restrict, monitor, or pass judgment on any items that an individual checks out. Library employees will maintain the privacy of all patrons and will not share any information about the patron or the items checked out to that patron with anyone other than the individual patron.
9.2 Minors - A minor is anyone under the age of 18 years of age. Responsibility for a child's reading rests with the parent or legal guardian, not with the library. The library will not act "in loco parentis." Information on items checked out on a minor's library card may only be shared with a parent/legal guardian.
10. Reconsideration of Library Materials
As an institution that aims to serve all of the members of the community, Moon Township Public Library strives to build a diverse collection.
As such, the collection will include opposing viewpoints.
Moon Library will neither support nor endorse any one particular viewpoint or belief represented in items within the collection. Rather, it will encourage patrons to freely examine items and come to their own conclusions and interpretations of the information within the materials.
As such, some materials may be perceived as offensive to individuals or groups of individuals because of their perception of content provided within some materials.
Members of the community are invited to make informal, appropriate comments and suggestions to appropriate library staff members concerning library materials, but staff will be governed by the library's Collection Development Policy.
Patrons requesting reconsideration of an item will be asked to put their request in writing by completing the Reconsideration of Library Materials Form (forms are available at the library circulation desk). The form must be completed in its entirety and returned to a library staff member or to the library director.
Once the form is received, the library director will review the request, taking into consideration the criteria used in selecting the item, the item's place in the collection, and reasons for the item's inclusion within the collection. The director will then contact the patron with the decision. A written copy of the decision will be given to the patron and kept on file at the library.
If the library patron is not satisfied at this point, they will be invited to attend the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Library Board of Trustees. After hearing the complaint, the Board may either appoint a special committee to review the item or recommend a policy regarding the item in question. In either case, the library patron will be informed, in writing, of the Board's decision.
11. Donation of Items
Moon Library accepts donated print and audiovisual items with the provision that all items become the property of Moon Township Public Library. Donated items may be acceptable for the collection when they meet the same standards as they apply to purchased library items within the guidelines of the Collection Development Policy, require no special conditions, and may be disposed of when warranted. In no case will an item be added to the collection solely because it is a donation.
Staff librarians will determine from donated materials those that will be added to the library collection. Materials not added to the collection will be offered to the Friends of Moon Public Library for their annual book sale.
The following items will not be accepted as donations:
- Textbooks
- Computer books
- Magazines and newspapers
- Encyclopedia sets older than 5 years
- Toys, puzzles, stuffed animals
- Readers Digest condensed editions
- Items in poor condition
- Computer equipment and hardware
Forms that can be used for tax deductions for items donated to the library are available at the circulation desk.
12. Memorials
The Library will accept monetary donations accompanied by a subject or title request in memory or honor of individuals.
If a patron wants to donate a specific item as a memorial or honorarium, the library director, or a staff member to whom the duty has been delegated, must approve of the item's acceptability for inclusion within the library's collection. Such items must meet the same standards as other materials selected for inclusion in the library's collection.
Memorial and honorarium titles will receive a memorial label and be shelved in the appropriate place within the collection.
Please fill out a Memorial Form and bring or mail it to the library along with your contribution. Forms are also available at the library circulation desk.
13. Policy Revision
This policy will be revised as time and circumstances require.
