CollectionDevelopmentPolicy
- 1. Collection Development Policy Library Name: Orange Public Library Introduction Patron Needs and Services: The Orange Public Library provides general information, recreational reading, and children’s programs to the Orange community. In order to meet the growing interest in a variety of topics and interests, the Orange Public Library has developed a collection of eclectic resources. The library will hopes to expand the audiobook, large print and young adult collections. Description of Current collection: The collection currently contains over 150,000 items including books, periodicals, audio books, videos, and CDs to patrons of the REBL library consortium. Most items in the collection are in English with a small collection of paperback fiction in Spanish and French. The collection has a strong children’s collection with many current titles. The library purchases many of the New York Times best sellers and has a strong and growing reference collection. The library has had a growing interest in Orange, NJ and Essex County history. Priorities and Policies Collection Priorities: Collection priorities include continuing to buy best sellers, reference resources, and children’s and young adult titles. We also hope to expand our Spanish and French language texts and media to serve members of our community who would like to access these materials. Funding: Funding for collections is available from the Orange city budget, the Orang Library Board, friends of the library, and grants received from private foundations. Selection Who Does the selecting: The reference librarian and the children’s librarian will be responsible for making selection recommendations to the library director. The library director will be responsible for making the final purchase. Selection Decisions: Decisions to select materials are based on staff recommendations, patrons’
- 2. recommendations, a review of professional journals including Library Journal and Booklist, and reviewing award winning titles such as the Newbery Award and the Caldecott Award. Gift Policy: The Orange Public Library encourages and welcomes gifts and donations to be used for the benefit of the library. The library accepts gifts of books, periodicals, and CD’s and DVD’s, with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only when they are needed. The library makes an effort to dispose carefully and thoughtfully of all gift materials which it does not add to its own collection. Upon request, a letter of receipt will be issued for donated items. However, determination of dollar value will be left to the donor. Collection Maintenance Materials are weeded from the collection at the discretion of the reference librarian, children’s librarian, and the library director. The collection is weeded for materials that fail to meet the goals of the collection due to age, condition or publication of better materials. Weeding will be done methodically and in an on-going basis, and according to accepted professional practices as described in the publication, The CREW Manual. Due to current space limitations, the library staff will conduct a collection wide weeding project beginning in January 2015 to evaluate titles based on the CREW Manual. Complaints and Censorship The Public will uphold the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services. I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment. IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas. V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
- 3. VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use. Adopted June 18, 1948. Amended February 2, 1961, and January 23, 1980, inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council. The Orange Public Library will follow the following procedure if a patron has a complaint about library materials. 1. The concerned patron will be offered the opportunity to discuss her/his concern with the Library Director and/or staff person responsible for the selection. If the patron is dissatisfied with this discussion and wishes to pursue the issue, she/he will be required to complete and submit a Statement of Concern form. 2. The Director will review the complaint and Statement of Concern form, and will respond in writing. 3. If the issue is still not resolved to the patron’s satisfaction, the complaint will be taken to the Library Board, along with any supporting documentation from the patron and/or the Library Director. The Board will prepare a written response to the patron. Date of Policy: January 08, 2015
- 4. ORANGE PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY COVERAGE OF POLICY Introduction: 1. Patron Needs and Services: 2. Description of Current collection: Priorities and Policies: 3. Collection Priorities: 4. Languages: 5. Funding: 6. Selection: 7. Who Does the selecting: 8. Selection Decisions: 9. Gift Policy: 10. Collection Maintenance: 11. Complaints and Censorship: Date of Policy: January 8, 2015