Materials Selection & Collection Development

Objectives

The purpose of the Marshall County Public Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.

The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.

The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by the Marshall County Public Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of the policy. 

The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.

Responsibility for Selection

The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Marshall County Public Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff; however, because the director must be available to answer to the library board and the general public for actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.

Criteria for Selection

Materials will be selected based on positive reviews in professional journals or actual examination and evaluation of materials.  Items and authors that must be purchased every year may be placed on a standing order list to ensure timely delivery.

The main points considered in the selection of materials are:

    • Individual merit of each item
    • Popular appeal/demand
    • Suitability of material for the clientele
    • Existing library holdings
    • Budget
    • Format
    • Reviews

Reviews are a major source of information about new materials.  The primary source(s) of reviews is (are):

    • The Library Journal
    • Booklist
    • Publisher’s Weekly
    • Best Seller lists
    • Guide to Reference Books
    • Publisher's and jobbers catalogs
    • Best Seller lists
    • Patron requests
    • Newspapers, radio, TV, or other media publicity
    • Internet sources
    • Standard lists

The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting a title that is in demand. Consideration is, therefore, given to requests from library patrons and material discussed on public media. Materials are judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.

Deselection of Materials

Materials that no longer meet the needs of the community and no longer support the library’s collection will be withdrawn and disposed of in accordance with the library’s “Collection Management” policy.

Approved by Marshall County Public Library Board of Trustees on October 24, 2002.