ALA Library Bill of Rights

Collection Development Policy

DEFINITIONS

Collection Development includes the planning, selection, acquiring, cataloging, and weeding of the library’s collections of all formats.

Library Materials include, but are not limited to the following: books, periodicals, pamphlets, government publications, reference works, newspapers, CD’s, video, large print materials, educational on-line databases, seeds, video games, mobile hot-spots, and digital resources.

Weeding is the regular, ongoing, and systematic evaluation process whereby library materials are withdrawn from the collection based on specific criteria such as outdated, worn, damaged, and/or duplicated materials.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of the Mulberry Public Library is to select, organize, and make freely and easily available to all individuals in the community printed and other materials that will aid them in the pursuit of information, education, research, recreation, culture, and in the creative use of leisure time. The primary goal of collection development is to provide the best possible collection with the financial resources available. The decision to select any item for the collection is based on demand, anticipated need, and the effort to maintain a wide and balanced collection.

The library strives to maintain materials representing all side of an issue in a neutral, unbiased manner. Selection of materials by the library does not mean endorsement of the contents or views expressed in those materials. The existence of a particular viewpoint in the collection is an expression of the library’s policy of intellectual freedom, not an endorsement of that particular point of view. The library provides service to all within the framework of its rules and regulations and does not knowingly discriminate in its material selection regarding race, creed, sex, occupation or financial position.

Criteria for Selection

A singular obligation of the Mulberry Public Library is to reflect within its collection differing points of view. The Mulberry Public Library does not endorse particular beliefs or views, nor does the selection of an item express or imply endorsements of the viewpoint of the author. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of the contents, nor will items be sequestered, except for the purpose of protecting them from theft or damage.

Comments from members of the community about the collection or individual items in the collection frequently provide librarians with useful information about interest or needs that may not be adequately met by the collection. The Mulberry Public Library welcomes expression of opinion by patrons, but will be governed by the Collection Development Policy.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Library materials are selected on the basis of informational, educational, cultural, and recreational value. These materials are selected in compliance with the mission and goals of the library. The following general criteria are also used in selecting materials for addition to the collection:

• Importance and value to the collection and library users
• Significance of the subject matter
• Current appeal and popular demand
• Local interest
• Cost and budgetary constraints
• Authority, accuracy, and artistic quality.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELECTION: The ultimate responsibility for materials selection and the development of the library collection rests with the Library Director, who operates with the framework of policies determined by the Mulberry City Commission