Collection Development

MORGAN COUNTY LIBRARY COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY

This Collection Development Policy was developed under the direction of the Morgan County Library Board, and was discussed and adopted in an open meeting. This policy will be reviewed by the library board on an as-needed basis.

Purpose

The Collection Development Policy is intended to provide guidance, within budgetary and space limitations, for the evaluation, selection, and purchase of materials that meet the diverse needs of the citizens of Morgan County. This policy exists to serve as a guide in the selection of materials and to inform the public about the principles upon which selections are made.

The mission of the Morgan County Library is to serve all members of the community by providing books and resources to meet their educational and personal enrichment needs. Library services include the comprehensive oversight of the resources, both print and nonprint, that are included in the library’s collections. The goal of the library is the maximum use of its collection by the greatest number of persons. Responsibility for use of library resources by minors rests with the parents or guardians.

Collection Priorities

The following print and non-print categories of material have been determined to be best able to meet the needs of the community in accordance with the mission of the Morgan County Library.

Material Formats

Materials are selected in the most appropriate format in the following categories: Hardcovers, Paperbacks, Magazines/Newspapers, DVDs, Book and CD Combinations, Audio books on CD, Large Print Books, Electronic Resources/Downloadable e-books, and Maps.

Collections for Different Ages

Material is purchased to meet the needs of the community at various reading and interest levels. These levels include Picture Books, Beginning Readers, Junior Fiction and Non-Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction.

Print Materials
Books:

Fiction: The library attempts to include popular, notable, and classic novels and short stories for adults and children.

Non-fiction: The library aims to have an authoritative, up-to-date non-fiction collection for the general reader in various fields of knowledge. Within each subject area, priority is given to those books which will serve the most readers. No attempt is made to specialize in particular subject areas. Non-fiction and reference materials are collected for both children and adults.

Periodicals/Newspapers: The selection process for magazines parallels that for books. A selection of popular, general information and current interest titles is provided. Most research periodicals are available electronically and on Utah’s Online Library. Area newspapers are added to meet reference and research needs of patrons, to provide current information, and to satisfy casual interest in current events.

Maps: The library collects maps from the National Geographic map section as well as maps of local interest.

Special Historical Collection: Local history and special Utah history materials are available through the Morgan County Historical Society.

Non-Print Materials

The library recognizes the importance of non-print materials as a source of educational and personal enrichment for the community.

Audio: The audio collection contains musical recordings in a variety of genres, and books on CD for both children and adults. Audio books include popular, notable, and classic novels and short stories as well as popular non-fiction works. Downloadable audio books are available to library patrons through OverDrive.

DVD: The DVD collection includes, but is not limited to, DVDs that are based on literature, science, history, and the arts. It also comprises films with entertainment value, movie classics, and award winners. Downloadable videos are available to library patrons through OverDrive.

Materials Not Collected

Due to funding and space constraints, textbooks and other curriculum related materials are not added. Legal and medical works will be acquired only to the extent that they will be useful to the layman.

Selection Criteria

The Morgan County Library subscribes to the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement adopted by the American Library Association Council. (Attachments 1 and 2)

Specific selection criteria include:
  1. The demand for the material.
  2. The author’s significance and/or reputation as a writer.
  3. Importance of the subject matter to the collection.
  4. Scarcity of material on the subject.
  5. Timeliness or permanence of the work.
  6. Appearance of title in special bibliographies or indexes.
  7. Authoritativeness.
  8. Reputation and standing of the publisher.
  9. Cost and shelving limitations.
  10. Availability of the materials elsewhere in the area.
  11. Acceptable reviews in recognized review media.
  12. The contribution of the material to the balance and variety of the library collection as a whole.
  13. Appropriateness of the format.
  14. The aesthetic, literary, or social value of the material.
  15. The currency and accuracy of the material.
Aids in selection:
  1. Recognized reviewing media including pre-publication reviews.
  2. Judgment of staff members.
  3. Bestseller lists.
  4. Suggestions from library patrons.
  5. Interlibrary loan requests by patrons.

Selection Process

All staff members and the general public may recommend material for consideration. Material is purchased in the most appropriate format for library use.

It should be recognized that some materials chosen may be offensive, shocking or boring to some readers, but may be meaningful and significant to others. Works being considered should be viewed as a whole, not in isolated parts.

The number of items purchased for each area of the collection will be determined by indicators of use, the average cost per item and objectives for the development of the collection.

Other community resources and area library resources are taken into consideration when developing collections. Through interlibrary loan, librarians may obtain materials from other sources. Additional information may be obtained through electronic access at Utah’s Online Library and the Internet.

Non-print materials, such as CDs, DVDs, and children’s educational games are selected and deselected according to the same criteria as book materials. Some titles may be purchased in several formats in order to serve the most patrons. Availability of items in the format, the cost per item, and the library’s ability to acquire and handle the items will also be factors in determining when a new format will be collected.

Responsibility for Selection: All members of the library staff share in the initial selection of books and other materials. However, ultimate responsibility for material selection shall rest with the Library Director who is to use the best judgment possible as a professional in purchasing books and other materials for the library.

Community Participation: Suggestions from library users are always welcomed and given serious consideration. The library may periodically distribute questionnaires/surveys to determine the needs of the community which will be used to help build the library’s collection.

Interlibrary Loans

Postage will not be charged to patrons who request materials from the Utah State Library Interlibrary Loan program. Lost materials are subject to the policy of the lending library.

Gifts

The Morgan County Library accepts irrevocable gifts of books and other library materials, or money to purchase materials. Gifts must meet the same selection criteria as purchased material. All gifts become the property of the Morgan County Library. The library reserves the right to add the material to the collection, or to sell, exchange, donate, or discard gifts.

The library will not assign a value to donated gift materials. However, the library will make available to patrons a receipt for X number of books, boxes of books, audio books, etc., which can be used for tax purposes.

Memorial gifts are accepted using the same criteria for selection as for purchased material. Gifts of money are accepted to purchase memorial material which meet selection criteria. Such gifts are acknowledged with a memorial plate.

Weeding

The library maintains an active policy of discarding outdated material, material no longer of interest or in demand, duplicated material, worn or mutilated copies, and material which no longer contributes to the total collection.

Discarded materials may be sold, exchanged, or given to another non-profit organization at the discretion of the Library Director.

Challenged Materials
If a patron wishes to question the suitability of a particular title in the library’s collection, the following procedures will be followed:
  1. The patron will be asked to fill out a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials and return it to the Library Director.
  2. The patron may then request a review by the Library Board to examine and evaluate the material in question. Appropriate action will follow the recommendation of the Board.
  3. If the material is not recommended for removal and the patron continues to demand that the title be withdrawn from the collection, it will be necessary for him/her to institute court proceedings, and sustain the cost thereof, to determine if, indeed, the material does not meet community standards and therefore must be removed from the library’s collection.

Teresa Christensen, Library Board Chair       Erin Bott, Library Director

Policy adopted: November 17, 1999

Last modified: May 12, 2021